Anti-inflammatory potential of aqueous extract and ethyl acetate fractions of Munronia pinnata (Wall) Theob. and the isolated compound, Senecrassidiol

This study was designed to evaluate in vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory potential of the different extracts of Munronia pinnata and compare it with the isolated compound, Senecrassidiol by using the carrageenaninduced paw edema animal model in Wistar rats. Munronia pinnata (Wall) Theob (Meliaceae) has been traditionally practiced for hundreds of years by traditional physicians as a home remedy for the treatment of inflammatory conditions in folk medicine in Sri Lanka. The tested ethyl acetate fractions of methanol extract and its isolated compound senecrassidiol exhibited significant antiinflammatory activity in the tested models. It demonstrated the scientific rationale for the use of an antiinflammatory agent in folk medicine. The MPaq showed a significant (p 0.5) inhibition of infiltration of rat peritoneal cells, inhibition of NO production by rat peritoneal cells, and inhibition of membrane stabilization as well as the antihistamine activity which are the probable anti-inflammatory mechanisms.