Investigation of Anti-inflammatory activity of Hemedesmus indicus L. on Carrageenan induced paw oedema in rats

Hemidesmus indicus L. (Family: Apocynaceae), is commonly referred as Indian sarsaparilla, Anantamool or Nannari, commonly available perennial climbing plant had been widely used for its reported biological activities in indigenous system of medicine. The present investigation was carried out to find the effect of aqueous and ethanolic extract of leaves and stem of Hemidesmus indicus for its anti-inflammatory activity. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using acute inflammatory models viz., carrageenan induced paw oedema. Oral administration of the extract at the doses 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. exhibited dose dependent and significant anti-inflammatory activity in (p < 0.05). Hence, present investigation established pharmacological evidences to support the folklore claim that Hemidesmus indicus is used as anti-inflammatory agent. Keywords: Hemidesmus indicus (H. indicus), Leaves, Stem, Anti-inflammatory activity