EVALUATION OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS AND AQUA ALCOHOLIC EXTRACTS OF Caesalpinia bonducella SEEDS

Aim and Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about three-quarters of the world population depends on traditional medicines (mainly herbs) for their healthcare. Caesalpinia bonducella (Caesalpiniaceae) is a plant well known for its medicinal value in Indian Ayurveda. The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of Caesalpinia bonducella seeds.

Materials and Methods: The Caesalpinia bonducella seeds, the shade dried seed, were powdered with an electric grinder. The anti-inflammatory activity of Caesalpinia bonducella was studied by means of albumin denaturation assay. The aqueous extract of dried plant seeds was made in the distilled water. The filtrate was concentrated by boiling it until concentrated methanolic extract was obtained. Absorbance values were measured using UV spectrophotometer and the respective % inhibition values were calculated using the formula.

Results and Discussion: At 10 μl and 20 μl concentrations the aqueous extract of Caesalpinia bonducella seeds showed a higher %inhibition value and anti-inflammatory activity when compared to aqua-alcoholic extract of Caesalpinia bonducella seeds and diclofenac, at 30 μl and 40 μl concentrations the aqua-alcoholic extract of Caesalpinia bonducella seeds showed a higher %inhibition value and anti-inflammatory activity when compared to aqueous extract of Caesalpinia bonducella seeds and diclofenac and at 50 μl concentration which is highest concentration, diclofenac showed a higher %inhibition value and anti-inflammatory activity when compared to aqueous and aqua-alcoholic extracts of Caesalpinia bonducella seeds.

Conclusion: The results obtained in this study indicate that Caesalpinia bonducella seeds possess concentration dependent anti-inflammatory activity and have therapeutic potential for the prevention of acute and chronic inflammation.