Investigation of Selected Medicinal Plants and Marketed Formulation for their Anti Inflammatory and Anti Osteoarthritis Activity

Abstract

There are several herbs used in the indigenous system of medicine for the treatment of inflammation and joint disorders. As per the literature survey information, the plant Strobilanthes callosus (Family-Acanthaceae) a traditional herb reported for anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity. Due to a strong chemotaxonomical relationship among species of Genus Strobiolanthes, the two species i.e., Strobilanthes kunthianus (Family -Acanthaceae) and Strobilanthes cuspidatus (Family -Acanthaceae) were selected for the present study. The leaves of S. kunthianus and S. cuspidatus were collected from Kalliti, Nilgiri hills. newlineThe effects of ethanolic extracts of S. kunthianus (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) and S. cuspidatus (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) for their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-osteoarthritic activity were studied in different animal models using Wistar albino rats and Swiss albino mice in vivo and in vitro assays such as human RBC membrane stabilization and rabbit cartilage explants culture were also performed. newlineThe results obtained in the present investigation are consistent with the ethno medical claim made for the use of genus Strobilanthes in inflammation and joint disorders. Interestingly, shallaki showed lesser analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti osteoarthritis activity when compared to SKE and SCE. The potential therapeutic activity of the extracts Strobilanthes kunthianus and Strobilanthes cuspidatus may be attributed to the presence of multiple phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, phytosterols, triterpenoids and tannins. Although more wide-cut understanding of the mechanism by which SKE and SCE mediates their beneficial effects needs further investigation on the action of prostaglandins, cycloxygenases, lipoxygenases, matrix-metalloproteases and reactive oxygen species, other animal models (Collagenase induced osteoarthritis and incapacitence test) and to isolate the phytoconstituents from the ethanolic extracts which are responsible for the therapeutic activity. newline