Assessment of In-vivo Anti-inflammatory Potential of Fruit Extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Using Carrageenan Induced Paw Edema Rat Model Study

Ethnobotanicals are important for pharmacological research and drug development. Indian medicinal plant Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has been used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for the treatment various human ailments. Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are mainly used in the treatment of pain and inflammation with side effects like gastrointestinal irritation. Therefore, there is a resurgence to search for alternative anti-inflammatory drugs and medicines from natural sources. Hence, in the current study we aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory potential of Ashwagandha fruits in an in-vivo carrageenan induced paw edema rat model study. Fruits of Ashwagandha was subjected to successive solvent extraction by continuous hot extraction (Soxhlet) with methanol. Anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic fruit extract of Ashwagandha at doses of 150 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg was evaluated in carrageenan induced paw edema Wistar albino rat model test. Inflammation was produced by administering 0.1 ml of 1% carrageenan into sub-plantar surface of rat hind paw to negative control group; 150 mg/kg (Group-I), 300 mg/kg (Group-II), 600 mg/kg (Group-III) methanolic fruit extract Ashwagandha and Aspirin 100 mg/kg (positive control) was administered intraperitoneally respectively. Results depicted that there was a dose dependent inhibition of hind paw edema volume following treatment with methanolic fruit extract of Ashwagandha. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory effect of methanolic fruit extract Ashwagandha extract at the dose level of 300 mg/kg was comparable with that of standard drug viz. Aspirin. Moreover, maximum inhibition of paw edema volume was observed at 12 h time interval at all the dose levels of methanolic fruit extract Ashwagandha. In conclusion, this preliminary study demonstrated the anti-inflammatory potential of methanolic fruit extract of Ashwagandha. Therefore, Ashwagandha fruit extract could be considered for development of natural anti-inflammatory drug