A Comparative Evaluation Study of Anti-inflammatory Activity of Saraca asoca and its Commonly used Substitute Plants

Objective: This study was carried out to compare anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic extract of Saraca asoca and its commonly used substitute plants Kingiodendron pinnatum, and Cynometra travancorica. Method: Chopped bark of each plant where blundered and extracted with methanol, the antioxidant activity were evaluated using Swiss Albino mice. Results: Carrageenan induced paw edema. The intraplantar injection of carrageenan in Swiss Albino mice produced a local inflammatory response and reached a maximum intensity of edema at 3^rd hour. After 3^rd hour, the edema was significantly reduced by 65.88% in animal group treated with higher dose of Saraca asoca compared to control. Kingiodendron pinnatum and Cynometra travancorica showed 60 and 67.06% of percentage inhibition respectively. Formalin induced paw edema- The extract treated group showed remarkable reduction in paw edema on 4^th day by 32.87, 48.56, 46.71% at lower dose and 52.13, 52.59 and 53.52% respectively in animal groups treated with higher doses of each extract compared to control. The group treated with Diclofenac (10 mg/kg) showed 58.02% reduction in paw thickness on 4^th day. Conclusion: The data obtained from the study indicate that the substitute plants Kingiodendron pinnatum and Cynometra travancorica were much effective as Saraca asoca in reducing inflammation gives their curable role as an anti-inflammatory drug.