Comparative Anti-Inflammatory Study on the Efficacy of Leaf and Root of Agnimantha (Premna Corymbosa Rottl.) in Wistar Albino Rats

Abstract

Agnimantha (Premna corymbosa Rottl.) belonging of Verbinaceae, is a small sized tree or large shrub which is grown throughout India. The used part, root is one among the Dasamoola (roots of 10 important plants) and Brhat panchamoola (roots of 5 important plant) and considered under Sothaharagana (group of drugs with anti-inflammatory action). Hence for therapeutic purposes, the entire plant is destroyed. If the same or more efficacy is obtained by its leaves than root or root bark, it will help in preservation of the plant as well as for the easy collection and administration. The study was done to evaluate and compare the Sothaghna Property (anti-inflammatory effect) of decoction of Patra (leaf) and Moola (root) of Agnimantha (Premna corymbosa Rottl.) on Wistar Albino rats. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the drugs was evaluated in Wistar albino rats using Carrageenan induced hind paw and cotton pellet implanted granuloma models. Experimental study rules out any significant difference between the two parts of the drugs in the dose of 8.64 ml/kg with respect to anti-inflammatory activity. Leaf of Agnimantha shows weak to moderate antiinflammatory activity against acute inflammation at equivalent doses to root of Agnimantha. This provides preliminary evidence for carrying out further doses eliciting dose response pattern to ascertain whether higher doses of leaf produce good anti-inflammatory effect. If that is so it can be considered as possible substitute for root. Weight to weight basis it may not be an adequate substitute for the roots.

Depletion of Genuine Raw Drugs: A Rising Threat in Ayurvedic Drug Manufacturing Industry

“…As each useful part of a drug possesses various chemical constituents and action their substitution needs proper pharmacological and analytical studies prior to the substitution. Such substitution of few drugs like Vilwa 23 , Syonaka 24 , Agnimantha 25 , Gokshura 26 were already proven as effective in some aspects of pharmacological evaluation but the quantity of the substitute when other useful part of the same plant is added needs to be evaluated by conducting detailed pharmacological studies.…”