Anti-inflammatory effect of Strychnos potatorum seeds on acute and subacute inflammation in experimental rat models

The anti-inflammatory effect of seed powder [SPP I (100 mg/kg) and II ( 200 mg/kg) p.o.]and aqueous extract [SPE I ( 100 mg/kg) and II ( 200 mg/kg) p.o.] of Strychnos potatorum Linn (Loganiaceae) seeds was studied in carrageenin-induced hind paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma models. In carrageenin-induced rat paw edema model, both SPP (I and II) and SPE (I and II) exhibited mild inhibition at 1 h and maximum inhibition at 2.5 h in a dose-dependent manner. In the cotton pellet granuloma model, both wet and dry weights of the cotton pellets were significantly (p < 0.001) inhibited by SPP and SPE at both dose levels, whereas a maximum (p < 0.001) inhibition of wet and dry weights was found at 200mg/kg, p.o. Both SPP and SPE were found to normalize the increased alkaline, acid phosphatases, and lipid peroxide levels indicating their membrane stabilization and free radical scavenging properties, respectively. In conclusion, both SPP (I and II) and SPE (I and II) exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in acute and subacute inflammatory models, whereas SPE-II was found to possess maximum activity and its effect was also comparable with the standard drug diclofenac sodium ( 5mg/kg, p.o.).