Anti-inflammatory potential of aqueous extract of Elsoltzia stachyodes on experimental models of inflammation in rats

Aim: Elsholtzia stachyodes is being used as a folk medicine to suppress the pain in various inflammation-related disorders in the North-eastern part of India. However, there is a lacking of evidence-based data on it. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of an aqueous extract of Elsoltzia stachyodes (AEES) on experimental models of inflammation in rats. Materials and Methods: The qualitative phytochemical analysis tests were performed to check the presence of alkaloids, glycoside, flavonoids, saponin, tannin, and triterpenoids. Wistar (150–175 g) rats were used to evaluate anti-inflammatory property by carrageenan induced paw edema and cotton pellet-induced granulation tissue formation models. Indomethacin (10 mg/kg) and AEES were administered at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg in both the models. In case of carrageenan-induced paw edema model, the change in paw volume was estimated using plethysmometer. However, wounds weights of cotton pellet were measured in cotton pellet-induced granulation tissue formation model. Results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Results: The phytochemical analysis of AEES showed the presence of flavonoids, saponin, tannin, and triterpenoids. AEES showed a significant decrease in paw edema and weight of the cotton pellets in a dose-dependent manner in both the inflammatory models. Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that AEES exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity and may have the potential of usefulness as an adjuvant therapy in inflammatory-related disorders.