1 Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activity of Jatropha gossypifolia in Experimental Animal Models

Abstract: The present study was done to investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of methanolic and petroleum ether extracts of Jatropha gossypifolia Linn. We have determined the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of methanolic and petroleum ether extracts of dried aerial parts of Jatropha gossypifolia by oral administration at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day of body weight to healthy animals. The extracts were studied for their anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in rats and the paw volume was measured plethysmometrically at 0 and 3 h after injection. The methanolic and petroleum ether extracts were also evaluated for analgesic activity using Eddy’s hot plate method and tail-flick method in albino rats. The methanolic and petroleum ether extracts of Jatropha gossypifolia, significantly (P<0.05) reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats and analgesic activity evidenced by increase in the reaction time by Eddy’s hot plate method and tail-flick method in albino mice. The methanolic and petroleum ether extracts showed a greater anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect comparative to the standard drugs, indomethacin and diclofenac sodium respectively. The present results indicated the methanolic extract of Jatropha gossypifolia exhibited more significant activity than petroleum ether extract in the treatment of pain and inflammation. Key words: Anti-inflammatory activity Methanolic extract Eddy's hot plate method Tail-flick method Analgesic activity Inflammation Carrageenan-induced paw edem