Comparative study of anti-inflammatory activity of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) with hydrocortisone in experimental animals (Albino rats)

Abstract

Title: Comparative Study of Anti-inflammatory activity of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) with Hydrocortisone in Experimental Animals (Albino Rats) Objective: To compare the acute and chronic anti-inflammatory effect of Withania somnifera with Corticosteroid (Hydrocortisone). Method: After approval from Institutional Animal Ethics Committee, albino rats of either sex (Wt. 150-250 gms) were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals in each. Acute inflammation was produced by sub-plantar injection of 0.1 ml of 1% freshly prepared Carrageenan in normal saline in right hind paw of rats. Adjuvant arthritis was induced by subcutaneous injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant into the subplantar tissue of the right hind paw of each rats. Control groups were treated with normal saline, Test groups with Ethanolic root extract of WS (12mg/kg & 25 mg/kg p.o.), Standard group with hydrocortisone. Mean paw edema increase in mm (Mean+SE) and % inhibition of paw swelling was evaluated and analyzed statistically.Result: Maximum percentage inhibition of edema exhibited with 12 mg/kg & 25 mg/kg of ethanolic extract of Withania Somnifera at 3 hrs were 36.36 % and 61.36 % respectively as compare to standard drug Hydrocortisone (40 mg/kg s.c.) 65.91%. In Freund,s adjuvant Arthritis model, on 3rd day Hydrocortisone percentage inhibition of paw edema is 31.58% as compare to Withania somnifera i.e. 21.83%.Conclusion: Ethanolic extract of Withania somnifera elicited significant dose dependant acute and chronic anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan comparable to hydrocortisone.