In vivo anti-inflammatory activities of Ocimum suave in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Ocimum suave has been used in the Ethiopian traditional medicine to relieve pain, fever, inflammation and other disease conditions. Aim of the study: The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous and ethanol leaf extracts and some fractions of Ocimum suave in mice. Materials and methods: The crude extracts were screened for their anti-inflammatory activities on carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema at three dose levels. The butanol and aqueous fractions of the aqueous extract were also evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities using carrageenan, histamine and serotonin-induced mouse paw edema at three dose levels. Normal saline and aspirin were employed as negative and positive control groups, respectively. Results: Both ethanol and aqueous extracts significantly decreased carrageenan-induced inflammation at all the three doses used. However, greater paw edema inhibition was observed with the aqueous extract. The two fractions also showed significant reduction of inflammation against inflammatory models in which the aqueous residue exhibited the highest inhibition. Conclusions: From the present findings, it can be concluded that the ethanol and aqueous leaf extracts as well as butanol and aqueous fractions of Ocimum suave have shown anti-inflammatory properties. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.