Evaluation of Synergistic Effect of Methanol Leaf Extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum and Vitex negundo on Inflammation and Arthritis

Abstract

Methanol leaf extracts of Cardiospermum halicacabum (MLECH) and Vitex negundo (MLEVN) were evaluated for acute toxicity, anti-inflammatory, and anti-arthritic activities. Phytoconstituents were isolated from these extracts by column chromatography. Both the extracts did not exhibit any sign of toxicity and mortality up to 2,000 mg.kg⁻¹. In carrageenan- induced inflammation and complete Freund’s adjuvant–induced arthritis, MLECH- (100, 200, or 400 mg.kg⁻¹) and MLEVN- (100, 200, or 400 mg.kg⁻¹) treated rats showed anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity compared to control groups. The flavones, luteolin, and apigenin were isolated from the MLECH and MLEVN, respectively. The treatment combination of MLECH and MLEVN in equal proportion, in both the models, showed greater reduction of inflammation than control or when MLECH or MLEVN was administered alone.

KEYWORDS:

• Anti-inflammatory
• anti-arthritic
• flavonoids
• synergistic effect

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors are thankful to Kovai Medical Centre Research and Educational Trust, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu for providing facilities necessary for carrying out the work.

FUNDING

The authors thank Department of Science and Technology, Govt of India, New Delhi whole-heartedly for providing funds to carry out this research.