MARY KENSA, V. AND NEELAMEGAM R.
Abstract
Experiments were carried out to evaluate andcompare the anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic whole plant extract of Ruellia tuberosa L. collected from unpolluted and polluted areas by using a carrageenan induced paw oedema method. The results showed that the reduction of carrageenan induced paw oedema in rats treated with ethanol extract wasdose dependent. The carrageenan induced paw oedema volume was increased up to 5 days followed by a reduction. The rate of paw oedema volume reduction was more in indomethacin treated rats (59.47%) as compared to carrageenan treated rats (46.08%). The ethanol extract of R. tuberosa from unpolluted soil showed maximum reduction of paw oedema volume (57.66%) at high dose (400 mg/kg body wt) oral administration in rats on 15th day after treatment as compared to other treatments. The result indicates the efficacy of R. tuberosa as an antiâinflammatory agent and justifies the use of this plant as an antiâoedematousagent.