Abstract:
The present study was aimed to screen Cassia obtusifolia leaves for antiinflammatory potential using carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pelletinduced granuloma models in Wistar rats. In this study, 90% methanol extract at two dose levels (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) and n-Butanol fraction of methanol extract (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) were studied in carrageenan-induced paw edema model. The methanol extract (500 mg/kg) and n-Butanol fraction of methanol extract (50 and 100 mg/kg) showed significant (p<0.05) anti-inflammatory potential in this model, Moreover, the anti-inflammatory effect of n-Butanol fraction of methanol extract at the dose of 100 mg/kg was comparable to diclofenac sodium (20 mg/kg, p.o). Therefore, n-Butanol fraction of methanol extract (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) have been further evaluated in cotton pellet induced granuloma model. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the n-Butanol fraction of methanol extract revealed the presence of glycosides, steroids, flavonoids and triterpenoids. The present study hence proved the anti-inflammatory potential of methanol extract of Cassia obtusifolia leaves. On further fractionation, the n-Butanol fraction has potentiated the therapeutic efficacy.

Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, Granuloma, Cassia obtusifolia, Carrageenan.