Acute anti-inflammatory effect of methanolic extracts of leaf, bark and fruit of Averrhoa bilimbi on carrageenan-induced acute inflammation in rats

Abstract

Averrhoa bilimbi Linn. (family- Oxalidaceae) is a medicinal plant which is used in folk medicine for its potential use in inflammatory disorders such as hepatitis, ulcerative colitis, rheumatism, rectal inflammations etc. Its application in inflammation, however, has not yet been supported by any scientific research. The aim of the current investigation was to examine the acute anti-inflammatory properties in rats of crude methanolic extracts of A. bilimbi Linn leaves, bark, and fruits. The crude methanolic extracts of A. bilimbi Linn leaf, bark and fruits were prepared by maceration with 95% methanol and acute anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated by carrageenan-induced acute inflammatory model in rats. The leaf and bark extracts showed more significant anti-inflammatory activity as compared with the standard drug, Diclofenac sodium (10 mg/kg).This study demonstrated that A. bilimbi Linn has powerful anti-inflammatory qualities, suggesting that it may be a useful source for identifying the active principle or principles that should be isolated and used to treat inflammatory diseases.