ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF MERREMIA EMARGINATA WHOLE PLANT DRX. BIRADAR PATIL RADHA JANARDHAN, DRX.RAJSHEKHAR BHANDE(HOD & PROFESSOR PHARMACOLOGY)

The present study evaluates the anti-inflammatory potential of the methanolic extract of Merremiaemarginata (MEME) whole plant using carrageenan- and formalin-induced paw edema models in Wistar albino rats. The extract was administered orally at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, with diclofenac sodium (10 mg/kg) serving as the standard drug. MEME produced significant, dose-dependent inhibition of paw edema in both models. In the formalin-induced paw edema model, the extract exhibited 32.88% and 43.0% inhibition at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, respectively, compared to 55.73% inhibition by diclofenac sodium. The results suggest that MEME possesses promising anti-inflammatory activity, likely mediated through inhibition of inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins and histamine, attributable to the presence of bioactive phytoconstituents like flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds.