Phytochemical Screening and Investigation of the Central and Peripheral Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Ethanol Extract of Hiptage benghalensis (L) Kurz

Aims: Hiptage benghalensis is used in the traditional system of medicine. The leaf is considered one of the important plant organs for the treatment of various diseases such as rheumatism, leprosy, wounds, ulcer, burning sensation, scabies, inflammation and cough. Hence, the present studies were carried out to evaluate chemical constituents and possible pharmacological activities of the leaf.
Study Design: Our present studies were focused on the assessment of probable analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extract of Hiptage benghalensis in laboratory animals and the statistical significance of such effects.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiments were carried out in Pharmacology lab of Department of Pharmacy North South University Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period of June 2012-February 2013.
Methodology: Carrageenan induced Hind Paw Edema test in Long Evans rat was the experiment for anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanol extract of Hiptage benghalensis while Hot Plate test and Acetic Acid induced Writhing method were was carried out to assess its analgesic activity in Swiss albino mice. At two different doses of the leaf extract, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight, the analgesic test was evaluated on mice and the anti-inflammatory test was evaluated on rats.
Result: Phytochemical analysis of ethanol extract of Hiptage benghalensis has indicated the presence of steroid, carbohydrate, flavonoid, alkaloid, tannin, phenol and, mangiferin and terpenoids-compounds. The ethanol extract of Hiptage benghalensis exhibited statistically significant (p<0.05) anti-inflammatory effect in Carrageenan induced Hind Paw Edema in Long Evans rats and incited significant analgesic response to Hot plate and acetic acid induced writhing in Swiss albino mice.
Conclusion: In conclusion, these observations provide evidence and possible mechanisms of action for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of leaf of Hiptage benghalensis claimed in Ayurveda medicine.