No abstract

The various extracts ofMerremia tridentatewere investigated for its anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities in male albino rats. The anti-inflammatory activity was carried out using carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema model and the anti-arthritic activity was carried out using complete Freund’s adjuvant induced arthritis model. Indomethacin (10 mg/kg bw) was used as a standard drug. The ethanol extract ofM. tridentateexhibited significant dose dependent activity in acute inflammation and the doses of 100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg bw produced 38.3% and 42.8% inhibition respectively after 3 h as compared with that of the standard drug which showed 48.5% inhibition. In arthritis model, the doses of 100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg bw of the ethanol extract produced 49.0% and 51.7% inhibition respectively after 19 days when compared with that of the standard drug (55.5%). Both doses of the ethanol extract ofM. tridentateexhibit significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities.

Morinda umbellataLinn. (Family Rubiaceae) is commonly known as “Nuna” in Tamil and “Pitadaru” in Sanksrit. The leaves in conjunction with certain aromatics in the form of decoction are used in diarrhoea and dysentry. The genuine sample ofM.umbellatawas collected. As part of the study genuine leaf, stem and root samples were collected and subjected to anatomical investigations. The air-dried leaf powder was extracted with different solvent systems such as petroleum-ether (40-60° C), benzene, chloroform, ethanol and sterile water and preliminary phytochemical analysis of the extracts including TLC and paper chromatographic assays were done and the Rfvalues were determined. Physico-chemical characters, fluorescence characters and extractive values of the leaf powder in different solvent systems were also determined. The pharmacognostical parameters studied, may be used as a tool for the correct identification of the plant and also to test the adulterants if any.