PHYTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF BRIDELIA RETUSA BARK SPRENG. IN ACUTE AND CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY CONDITIONS: A POSSIBLE MECHANISM OF ACTION

Dr. Anil Tatiya*, Dr. Ajay Saluja, Dr. Mohan Kalaskar, Dr.Sanjay Surana and Dr. Prakash Patil

ABSTRACT

Several species of Bridelia have been used to relieve pain in arthritic condition (rheumatic pain) in Indian folk medicine. This study was designed to explore the preliminary phytochemical analysis of Bridelia retusa spreng. (Euphorbiaceae) and further evaluation of its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity as well as underlying mechanism of fraction in rats. Bridelia retusa spreng bark was extracted using pet.ether,ethyl acetate and acetone. All the extracts were significantly inhibit abdominal writhings response of mice and inhibit licking time in late phase by inducing formalin. Test samples could also significantly inhibit mean paw edema of rats induced by carrageenan & histamine at dose of 200 & 400 mg/kg, ip. Test materials also showed significant dose dependent reduction in cotton pellet granuloma & acetic acid induced vascular permeability at 400 mg/kg. In FCA induced arthritic rats, physical changes, biochemical and hematological parameters observed in arthritic animals were altered significantly to near normal condition after oral administration of Bridelia retusa fractions. The maximum paw edema inhibition at day 21 was observed at 400 mg/kg. It also proved significant protection against protein denaturation & RBC membrane damage. The GC-MS analysis of EA extract revealed the presence of β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, lupeol and friedelin (Pentacyclic triterpenoid). In conclusion, the current study has demonstrated the analgesic; anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of Bridelia retusa bark fractions and suggested that the molecular membrane might be associated with inhibition of biochemical and hematological parameters. Overall bioactive profile of Bridelia retusa makes it an attractive candidate for future development as a drug or phytomedicine.

Keywords: Bridelia retusa Spreng. Lupeol, Anti-inflammatory; Freund’s complete adjuvant; Euphorbiaceae; Protein denaturation; Leukocyte migration.