Anti-inflammatory activity of Terminalia paniculata bark extract against acute and chronic inflammation in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Terminalia paniculata Roxb. (Family-Combretaceae) is a wild tree commonly used in traditional ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of inflammation of parotid glands and in menstrual disorders. Aim of the study: To explore the folk use of Terminalia paniculata on pharmacological grounds to evaluate the scientific basis of anti-inflammatory activity. Materials and methods: The anti-inflammatory activity of Terminalia paniculata was studied against carrageenan-induced hind paw edema, air pouch inflammation and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in rats. The aqueous extract of Terminalia paniculata bark (TPW) was administered at the concentrations of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight. Results: TPW showed significant (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory activity by reducing the edema volume in carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. Further, TPW (400 mg/kg) also reduced the carrageenan-induced leukocyte migration (50.92 ± 5.71%) and myeloperoxidase activity (49.31 ± 5.24%) in air pouch exudates. TPW (200 mg/kg) exhibits anti-rheumatic and analgesic activities by improving the altered haematological milieu (ESR, CRP, RF, WBC, RBC and Hb) and also by inhibiting the flexion scores and radiographic changes in CFA-induced arthritis. This extract also had significant (p < 0.05) effects on the occurrence of secondary lesions compared to CFA control. Conclusions: Terminalia paniculata bark may be a potential preventive or therapeutic candidate for the treatment of chronic inflammation and arthritis.