Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-lipid peroxidative effects of Rhaphidophora pertusa (Roxb.) Schott. and Epipremnum pinnatum (Linn.) Engl. aerial parts

摘要

The ethanol extracts of aerial parts of Rhaphidophora pertusa (Roxb.) Schott. and Epipremnum pinnatum (Linn.) Engl. (Family-Araceae) were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity in Wistar albino rats and analgesic effects in Swiss albino mice. Both the species produced significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema when compared to the standard drug Indomethacin .They also showed a significant inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing in mice at all the doses studied. The analgesic effect of R. pertusa was almost similar to that caused by the standard drug, aspirin. The ethanol extracts also showed significant anti-lipid peroxidant effects in vitro in rat liver homogenate. The acute toxicity study indicated that R. pertusa and E. pinnatum are fairly non-toxic. The results of the present study support the use of R. pertusa in traditional medicine of Kerala as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent and E. pinnatum may be included in the same category of medicinal plants.