Research Article INVESTIGATION OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF OINTMENTS CONTAINING

Objective: To formulate and investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of herbal ointments formulated with ethanolic extract of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). Methods: Herbal Ointments were prepared by incorporating ethanolic extract of Fenugreek (5 % w/w) into emulsifying ointment and simple ointment bases by fusion method and subjected to physical evaluations. Ointments were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity by Carrageenan-induced paw edema method in rats. Phytochemical analysis of extracts and stability studies of ointment formulations were also carried out. Results: Ointment formulation of fenugreek showed brown colour, aromatic odour and good homogeneity. Simple and emulsifying ointment formulations showed pH of 6.35 and 6.97 respectively which lies in normal skin pH range. Viscosity for simple ointment and emulsifying ointment was found to be 9050±12.1, 9664±16.7cps respectively. Emulsifying ointment base containing fenugreek extract exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity with percent inhibition 41.77 % where as simple ointment formulation showed 40.0 % inhibition of paw edema. Phytochemical screening of ethanolic extracts of fenugreek seeds showed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, carbohydrates, proteins. Stability studies showed that there was no variation in physical parameters of formulations after 3months which indicate good stability. Conclusion: This study shows that fenugreek has high potential as anti-inflammatory agent when formulated as ointment for topical use and results of the present study, therefore, support the traditional uses of this plant for inflammations