Anti-inflammatory Activity of the Aqueous Leaf Extract ofIxora coccinea.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the antiinflammatory potential of an aqueous leaf extract (ALE) of Ixora coccinea (Rubiaceae) in rats after oral administration (500, 1000 and 1500 mg=kg). This was done using the carrageenan-induced paw edema (acute inflammatory model) and cotton pellet granuloma tests (chronic inflammatory model). In the former test, ALE significantly impaired both early and late phases of the inflammatory response and also the edema maintained between the two phases. In the latter test, it significantly suppressed granuloma formation (only highest dose tested). Collectively, these data show promising anti-inflammatory activity against both acute and chronic inflammation. ALE showed strong antihistamine and antioxidant activities that can account for its anti-inflammatory potential. In addition, inhibition of prostaglandins and bradykinins may play a role.

Doubly linked, A-type proanthocyanidin trimer and other constituents of Ixora coccinea leaves and their antioxidant and antibacterial properties

“…Different parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of a variety of infections, hypertension, menstrual irregularities, sprains, chronic ulcers and skin diseases (Batugal, 2004;Saha et al, 2008 and references cited therein Latha et al, 1995;Nayak et al, 1999). The extracts of the flowers and leaves of I. coccinea have been reported to show cytotoxic, antitumour Panikkar, 1998, 1999) and antimicrobial (Annapurna et al, 2003;Latha et al, 1995), anti-inflammatory, (Ratnasooriya et al, 2005) and antioxidant activities (Saha et al, 2008). Ursolic acid, cycloartenol esters, lupeol, oleanolic acid and sitosterol have been reported from I. coccinea leaves (Ragasa et al, 2004).…”

Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of methanol extracts ofIxora coccinea

“…A previous study by Annapurna et al (2003) revealed that the leaves of I. coccinea exhibited antimicrobial activity which was comparable to streptomycin, a standard antibiotic. It was also found that the aqueous extract of I. coccinea showed antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in mice (Ratnasooriya et al, 2005a(Ratnasooriya et al, , 2005b. Studies on the antioxidant activity of I. coccinea are scarce except for a recent work which showed high antioxidant properties of the flower extract.…”

A review of studies on bioactive compounds isolated from Sri Lankan flora

“…In the latter test, it has significantly suppressed granuloma formation (only highest dose tested). Collectively, the results has shown a promising anti-inflammatory activity against both acute and chronic inflammation (Ratnasooriya et al, 2005). The anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic leaf extract (MLE) of I. coccinea Linn.…”