Antiinflammatory evaluation of a Pluchea indica root extract.

A methanolic fraction of a chloroform extract of defatted Pluchea indica roots was investigated for its antiinflammatory potential against several models of inflammation. The extract showed significant inhibitory activity against carrageenin-, histamine-, serotonin-, hyaluronidase- and sodium urate-induced pedal inflammation. The extract inhibited protein exudation and leucocyte migration. The extract also inhibited carrageenin- and cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation as well as turpentine-induced joint oedema and adjuvant-induced polyarthritis. The present observations establish the efficacy of the extract in the exudative, proliferative and chronic stages of inflammation.