Research Article

www.ajphr.com
2016, Volume 4, Issue 3
ISSN: 2321–3647(online)

Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Plant Acalypha Indica Extracts

Mathew George*, Lincy Joseph, Kamal Singh Gurjar, Saira Susan Varghese

ABSTRACT
Acalypha Indica is a species of plant having catkin type of inflorescence1. It occurs throughout
tropical Africa and South Africa, in India and Sri Lanka, as well as in Yemen and Pakistan. This
plant is held in high esteem in traditional Tamil Siddha medicine as it is believed to rejuvenate
the body. Pharmacological investigation has shown that the plant has potent anti- bacterial, anti-
fungal, anti-arthritic, anti-osteoporotic, anti-oxidant, neuroprotective, wound healing, post-coital
antifertility activities. The present review article attempt to summarize the anti-inflammatory
activity of the plant.2
Keywords: Euphorbiaceae, Acalyphine, Pharmacological, And Anti-Inflammatory

*Corresponding Author Email: [email protected]

Received 28 January 2016, Accepted 17 February 2016

Please cite this article as: George M et al., Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Plant Acalypha Indica
Extracts. American Journal of Pharmacy & Health Research 2016.
George et al., Am. J. Pharm Health Res 2016;4(3) ISSN: 2321-3647

INTRODUCTION
Inflammation is a part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli,
such as pathogens damaged cells or irritants3. The classical signs inflammation are pain, heat,
redness, swelling, and loss of function. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to
remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process. Inflammation is a stereotype
response, and therefore it is considered as a mechanism of innate immunity, as compared to
adaptive immunity, which is specific for each pathogen4. Traditional plants have been used over
conventional drugs as a cure for inflammation for many years due to their less side effects. Many
traditional plants have been reported to have anti-inflammatory activity such as Acalypha Indica.
The present work is aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of plant Acalypha Indica
extract by carrageenan induced paw oedema in rats.5
MATERIALS AND METHOD
Plant extract
Plant acalypha Indica extracts (IIIM P06 A001 and A002)
IIIM-P006-A001-250mg/kg of Acalypha Indica in ethanolic extract
IIIM-P006-A002-250mg/kg of Acalypha Indica in water extract
Experimental animals
Balb/c mice (8-2 weeks old, weighing between 18-22mg)
Wister rats (12-16 weeks old, weighing between 130- 150 mg)
All the studies were conducted after obtaining prior approval from the institutional ethical
committee in accordance with the National Institute Of Health“ Guide for care and use of
laboratory animals”.(NIH publication no.86-93,1985). IIIM /CA/1045/08(Registration number
that was approved for animals for this project.)
Chemicals
Ibuprofen (standard drug), carrageenan, normal saline.
Anti-inflammatory activity and evaluation
Oedema was introduced in rats in a group of 5 by injecting 0.1 ml of carrageenan (1%w/v)
solution in normal saline into the sub plantar region of the left hind paw after 45 minutes of drug
administration. Paw volume was measured immediately and after 4 hours of carrageenan
injection6.
Paw oedema measurement

www.ajphr.com 46
George et al., Am. J. Pharm Health Res 2016;4(3) ISSN: 2321-3647

Paw oedema was measured by using volume differential meter in rats and by screw gauze in
mice. 11Readings were taken both in injected and un-injected paws. The paw thickness was
measured in millimeters using vernier calipers. Plant extracts and ibuprofen were
administered 45 minutes before sc injection of 0.1ml of 1% carrageenan in normal saline and
the final reading were taken after 4 hours of carrageenan injection. From the mean oedema
volume, the percentage inhibition of the oedema was calculated between the treated and
control groups7.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table 1: Anti-inflammatory activity and evaluation of plant extracts by carrageenan
induced paw oedema in group of six rats (paw volume taken after 1 hour of carrageenan
injection)
Treatment Dose Initial paw Final paw Oedema %inhibition
mg/kg volume(_cm) volume
control - 1.48+0.082 2.84+0.127 1.36+0.088 -
M-P06-A001 250 1.46+0.073 2.63+0.045 1.17+0.094 13.97
M-P06-A002 250 1.45+0.028 2.42+0.175 0.96+0.033 29.41
Ibuprofen 100 1.47+0.034 2.30+0.285 0.83+0.079 56.46

Anti-inflammatory activity of plant extracts by carrageenan induced paw oedema (Paw

volume taken after one hour of carrageenan injection)

Oedema after one hour

1.6

1.4

1.2

1
Mean ± SE

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
Control IIIM-P06-A001 IIIM-P06-AOO2 Ibuprofen
Axis Title

Percentage inhibition of paw oedema by plant extracts (Paw volume taken after one hour of
carrageenan injection)

www.ajphr.com 47
George et al., Am. J. Pharm Health Res 2016;4(3) ISSN: 2321-3647

60

50

40

% Inhibition
30

20

10

0
IIIM-P06-A001 IIIM-P06-A002 Ibuprofen
Axis Title

Series1 Series2

Table 2: Anti-inflammatory activity and evaluation of plant extracts by carrageenan

induced paw oedema in group of six rats (paw volume taken after 3 hour of carrageenan
injection)
Treatment Dose Initial paw Final paw Oedema %inhibition
mg/kg volume(_cm) volume
control - 1.47+0.082 2.93+0.127 1.46+0.038 -
M-P06-A001 250 1.45+0.028 2.57+0.045 1.12+0.093 23.28
M-P06-A002 250 1.48+0.073 2.49+0.145 1.01=0.048 30.82
Ibuprofen 100 1.45+0.034 2.47+0.145 0.09+0.051 67.58

Anti-inflammatory activity of plant extracts by carrageenan induced paw oedema (Paw

volume taken after three hour of carrageenan injection)

Oedema after three hour

1.4
1.2
1
Mean ± SE

0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
Control IIIM-P06-A001 IIIM-P06-A002 Ibuprofen
Axis Title

Series1 Series2

www.ajphr.com 48
George et al., Am. J. Pharm Health Res 2016;4(3) ISSN: 2321-3647

Percentage inhibition of paw oedema by plant extracts (Paw volume taken after three hour of
carrageenan injection)
80
70
60
% Inhibition 50
40
30
20
10
0
IIIM-P06-A001 IIIM-P06-A002 Ibuprofen
Axis Title

Series1 Series2

IIIM–P06-A001 AND A002 were administered at a dose level of 250 mg/kg body weight in
different groups of mice. The result of the study shows that extract IIIM-P006-A001 showed an
inhibition of 13.97% at first hour and 23.28% at third hour and extract IIIM-P06-A002 showed
an inhibition of 29.41% at first hour and30.82% at third hour. Standard drug Ibuprofen
administered at 100mg/kg body weight produced inhibition of 56.486% at first hour and 67.58%
at third hour.
CONCLUSION
Inflammation is the protective and defense mechanism of the body. Animal models have been
used for evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity. Commonly employed techniques for screening
anti-inflammatory drugs is based upon the ability of such agents to inhibit the edema produced in
the hind paw of the rat after injection of phlogistc agent (carrageenan).carrageenan is a mixture
of polysaccaharides composed of sulphated galactose units, which initially release histamine and
serotonin followed by release of prostaglandins, protease and lysosomes producing oedema8. The
present work is aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of plant Acalypha Indica extract
by carrageenan induced paw oedema in rats. Both the extracts showed inhibition of paw volume
after one and three hours of carrageenan injection9.
REFERENCES
1. Kamoj VP. Herbal Medicine Current Science 2000;78(1):35-39.

www.ajphr.com 49
George et al., Am. J. Pharm Health Res 2016;4(3) ISSN: 2321-3647

2. Kokate CK, Purohit AP. and Gokhale, SB. Pharmagognosy. Nirali Prakashan, 30th
Edn.2005.
3. Deighton CM, and Walker, DJ. The familial nature of rheumatoid arthritis.
AnnRheum Dis 1991;50: 62-65.
4. Bull, NY. Disturbance of function (function laesa):The legency fifth cardinal sign of
inflammation, added by Galen to four cardinal signs of Celsus Acad Med
1971;47(3): 303-322.
5. Kumar, Abbas, AK, Fausto, N. Mitchell M. Robbins basic pathology. W.B.
Saunders. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA 2007;6: 960.
6. Coussens, LM, Werb, Z. Inflammation and cancer. Nature 2002;420(6917):860-867.
7. Segal BH, Leto TL, Gallin JI, Malech HL, Holland SM. Genetic, biochemical, and
clinical features of chromatous disease. Medicine 2000;79:170-200
8. Chandel KPS, Shukla G, Sharma N. Biodiversity in medicinal and aromatic plants in
india: Conservation and utilization.1996; 239.
9. Stone and Benjamin C. The flora of Guam.Micronesica.1970;6:651-569.

AJPHR is
Peer-reviewed
monthly
Rapid publication
Submit your next manuscript at
[email protected] / [email protected]

www.ajphr.com 50