JOURNAL OF ADVANCED

BOTANY AND ZOOLOGY

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Research Article Open Access

Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Erythrina Variegata Leaves Extracts

Murugalakshmi.M1*, Mari Selvi.J1, Thangapandian.V2
1
Department of Chemistry, The Standard Fireworks Rajaratnam College for Women, Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, India.
2
Department of Microbiology, Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College, Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Corresponding author: Assistant Professor M. Murugalakshmi, E-mail: [email protected]
Received: November 10, 2014, Accepted: December 26, 2014, Published: December26, 2014.
ABSTRACT
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Erythrina variegata leaves extracts have been tested against various diseases.
Methods: Water, Ethanol and ethyl acetate extract were prepared from leaves of E. variegata. Anti-inflammatory activity and
analgesic activity were determined in laboratory model as described by earlier. The anti-inflammatory activity of leaf aqueous
extracts showed dose dependent decrease in Carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in Albino rats. The plant extracts also produced
dose-dependent analgesic effects against thermally induced nociceptive pain. The above leaves extracts showed higher activity
than that of the standard diclofenac. The E. variegata was found to possess higher activity at the first and second hour and the
activity decreases slowly at third and fourth hours. The present work deals with the determination of Analgesic and
Anti-inflammatory studies of E. variegate.
Keyword: sensitivity, FNI, morphological parameters, sesame, genetic base

INTRODUCTION tooth-ache and as a narcotic and anti-helminthic. The alkaloid

A medicinal plant is any plant which, in one or more of its Erythroidine was used as a muscle relaxant. Haemoerythrina
organ, contains substance that can be used for therapeutic alkaloids were investigated for their anti-cancer activity [2].
purpose or which is a precursor for synthesis of useful drugs. Tanakaa et al. has investigated the Eryvarins F and G, two
The plants that possess therapeutic properties or exert 3-phenoxychromones from the roots of E. variegate [3].
beneficial pharmacological effects on the animal body are Masaru-Sato a has investigated the Synergistic effects of
generally designated as “Medicinal Plants”. Although there no mupirocin and an isoflavanone isolated from E. variegate on
apparent morphological characteristics in the medicinal plants growth and recovery of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
growing with them, yet they possess some special qualities or aureus [4] Jyothirmayi et al. has investigated the Nitrogen
virtues that make them medicinally important. It has now been extractability and functional properties of defatted E. variegata
established that the plants which naturally synthesis and flour [5].
accumulate some secondary metabolites, like alkaloids, E. variegata belongs to the family Fabaceae commonly known
glycosides, tannins, volatiles oils and contain minerals and as the ‘Indian coral tree’ in Asia or ‘tropical coral’ in the
vitamins, possess medicinal properties. Medicinal plants Pacificis an important multipurpose tree species and thrives
constitute an important natural wealth of a country. They play a well in arid and semiarid region. [6]. E. variegata is found
significant role in providing primary health care services to in many tropical and subtropical regions. An Indian preparation
rural people. They serve as therapeutic agents as well as of E. variegata is used to destroy pathogenic parasites and
important raw materials for the manufacture of traditional and relieve joint pain. Juice from the leaves is mixed with honey
modern medicine. Substantial amount of foreign exchange can and ingested to kill tapeworm, Roundworm and threadworm.
be earned by exporting medicinal plants to other countries. In Women consume the juice to stimulate lactation and
this way indigenous medicinal plants play significant role of an menstruation. A warm poultice of the leaves is applied
economy of a country. Herbal medicine is relatively cheaper externally to relieve rheumatic joint pains. The bark of E.
than orthodox medicine, as such it is widely accepted among variegata is used as a laxative, diuretic, expectorant, liver
the people and this could be due to the fact that tradomedical ailment and anti- rheumatoid. The leaf extract is used in
practices blend into the sociocultural life of the people. In traditional medicine as nervine sedative, collyrium in
recent times, focus on plant research has increased all over the opthalmia, anti-asthmatics, anti-epileptic, nematicidal,
world and large body of evidence has collected to show antiseptic and as an astringent. Leaf paste applied for muscular
immense potential of medicinal plants used in various pain in cattle. The root extract possess antimicrobial activity.
traditional systems. Use of plant based drugs and chemicals for [7-10].
curing various ailments and personal adornment is as old as It is used medicinally as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory,
human civilization [1]. antipyretic and antiseptic agent [11]. Erythrina has been used in
Erythrina has been used in folk medicine for treatment of folk medicine for treatment of insomnia, malarial fever, veneral
insomnia, malarial fever, veneral disease, asthma and disease, asthma and tooth-ache and as a narcotic and

J. of Advanced Botany and Zoology Volume 2/ Issue 2 ISSN: 2348 – 7313 1

antihelminthic. The alkaloid Erythroidine was used as a muscle cycle. The sex ratio of the experimental animal was 1:1 ratio.
relaxant. Haemoerythrina alkaloids were investigated for their The animals were fed on standard laboratory animal diet and
anti-cancer activity [12]. The leaves and tender shoots are eaten food was withdrawn during the experimental hours. All
as pot-herbs. It was reported that the seeds can be eaten after experimental protocols were approved by the animal ethics
boiling and roasting. The oil yield reported was 11.3% and the committee
residual seed cake had a protein content of 40%. (551/02/C/CPCSEA04/2012-2013/IAEC/CPCSEA).
Phyto-chemical investigation of the non-alkaloidal secondary Carrageenan-induced hind paw edema is the standard
metabolites of the genus Erythrina revealed the presence of one experimental model of acute inflammation. Carrageenan is the
cinnamylphenol some of which exhibit antibacterial and phlogiston agent of choice for testing anti-inflammatory drugs
anti-inflammatory activities [13] and inhibit the Na+/H+ as it is not known to be antigenic and is devoid of apparent
exchange system. Phyto-chemical analysis of the genus systemic effects. Moreover, the experimental model exhibits a
Erythrina helped to isolate five isoflavonoids (eryvarins A–E) high degree of reproducibility [19].
from the wood and the roots of E. variega [14]. E. Carrageenan-induced edema is a biphasic response. The first
variegata which is rich in crude fat as well as protein. Hence, an phase is mediated through the release of histamine, serotonin
attempt has been made to utilise E. variegata as a protein and kinins. Whereas, the second phase is related to the release
source. There is also a report on the description on the effect of of prostaglandin. The animals were divided into different
extraction parameters, such as pH, ionic strength, solid: solvent groups as Control, Standard, experimental group, each group
ratio and the time of extraction, on the nitrogen extractability contain 1-8 animals. Acute inflammation was produced by sub
and the buffer capacity of E. variegate flour [15-17] plantar injection of 0.1 ml of 1% suspension of carrageenan in
phytochemical studies on the different parts of dehusked normal Saline, in the right hind paw of the rats, one hour after
defatted the E. variegata plant have led to the isolation of many oral administration of the drugs. The paw diameter was
isoflavones. Isoflavones are compounds present in plant foods, measured with the aid of a vernier caliper at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4
particularly soya beans, which are structurally similar to the hours after the injection of carrageenan. The difference
mammalian estrogens. They have recently received between the readings at time zero hour and the different time
considerable attention for their potential use in the prevention intervals were taken as the thickness of edema. With
of postmenopausal bone loss. Data from animal experiments Diclofenac sodium (20 mg/kg) as standard, Group 3 were
provided evidence that soy protein can attenuate menopausal treated orally with water residue of E. variegata leaves (200
bone loss, and it was suggested that isoflavones in soya might mg/kg) dose levels of drugs. Group 4 were treated orally with
be responsible for their protective effects on bone [18]. E. variegate leaves (400 mg/kg) dose levels of drugs. Group 5
Knowing the above importance, the present work deals with the were treated orally with ethanol residue of E. variegata leaves
determination of Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory activities of (200 mg/kg) dose levels of drugs. Group 6 were treated orally
E. variegata leaves. with water residue of E. variegata leaves (400 mg/kg) dose
levels of drugs. Group 7 were treated orally with Ethyl acetate
MATERIALS AND METHODS residue of E. variegata leaves (200 mg/kg) dose levels of drugs.
Collection of Plant Material Group 8 were treated orally with Ethyl acetate residue of E.
The leaves of E. variegata were collected from S.F.R College variegata leaves (400 mg/kg) dose levels of drugs by feeding
for Women Sivakasi Virudhunagar district Tamil nadu and needle and the paw diameter were measured at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4
dried in shade. These were then powdered and stored in air tight hours after the injection of the standard, E. variegata leaves
container at room temperature until further use. Diclofenac extract and the recorded values were given in Table-1.
sodium (Standard for both analgesic and anti-inflammatory Percentage inhibition of paw edema is calculated by comparing
activity). Wister Albino rats (150-180g) were selected for these the controls. The percentage inhibition of inflammation was
studies. calculated for each dose at different hours as given below.
Preparation of Plant Extracts
The coarsely powdered leaf drug of E. variegata about 5g Percentage inhibition = 1- Vt / Vc *100
was extracted with water, ethanol, ethyl acetate by continuous Where Vc = volume of paw edema in control animals
extraction method using Soxhlet apparatus for 8hrs. The water, Vt = volume of paw edema in treated animals
ethanol, ethyl acetate extract was concentrated to a dry mass by
using water bath. A greenish brown colour residue was Evaluation of Analgesic Activity by Tail Immersion
obtained. The extracts were undergone to analgesic and Method (Turner, 1971)
anti-inflammatory activities. The tail immersion test is carried out as described by
Determination of anti-inflammatory activity standard procedure. The albino rats were selected and last 3.5
Carrageenan induced paw edema method (Fereidoni et al., cm of their tail was immersed in hot water thermo-statistically
2000) maintained at 55οC, a procedure that caused them to rapidly
The inflammatory reaction is readily produced in rats in the withdraw their tail [20]. Eight groups of animals were held in
form of paw edema with the help of irritants. position in a suitable restrainer with the tail extending out. The
Carrageenan-induced paw edema is the most commonly used latency to withdraw the tail was recorded with a stopwatch, and
method in experimental pharmacology. Albino rats of Wister a cut-off maximum latency of 15sec was established in order to
strain (80-215 g) were procured from the Animal house. They prevent tissue damage. Group I served as control, which
were housed in standard polypropylene cages and kept under received only vehicle (5mg/kg,i.p). Other groups of animals
controlled room temperature (25 ± 20C) in a 12 hours light-dark received one of the following in a similar manner: Diclofenac
J. of Advanced Botany and Zoology Volume 2/ Issue 2 ISSN: 2348 – 7313 2
(10mg/kg, i.p) and E. variegata leaves extract using water, hour (79.1%) and from 0.18 to 0.1275 for extracts (3). Higher
ethanol and ethylacetate as a solvent. The initial reading was activity was observed for 400 mg/kg for second hour was
taken immediately before administration of test samples and 80.55%. The above three leaves extracts 400mg/kg of E.
then at 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours after the administration and the variegata ethyl acetate extract of E. variegate leaves extracts
recorded data were listed in Table-2 shown higher activity of 80.55% than that of the standard
diclofenac. It was presented in the Table 1.
RESULTS Analgesic Studies
Anti-Inflammatory Studies The Analgesic activity of ethanol extract of E. variegata
Anti-inflammatory activity of water, ethanol and ethylacetate leaves have shown the following results. The increase in the
extract of E. variegata leaves on Carregeenan- induced paw basal reaction time from 5.25 to7.5 for standard 10mg/kg
oedema in rats were observed. The result showed that dose diclofenac and 3.5 to 2.5 for E. variegata leaves extract were
dependent decrease in the value 0.14 to 0.475 for standard observed. The E. variegata was found to possess higher activity
diclofenac (20mg/kg) and from 0.215 to 0.115 for extracts (1). at the first and second hour and the activity decreases slowly at
Higher activity was observed for 200mg/kg after three hour of third and fourth hour. Among within their compound the
incubation which was 96.42% and from 0.0292 to 0.1875 for analgesic activity decreased at the third and fourth hour when
extract (2). Higher activity was observed for 400 mg/kg for first compared to standard. It was presented in the Table 2.

Table.1. Effect of water (1), ethanol (2) and ethylacetate (3) extracts of E. variegata leaves of Anti-inflammatory activity
Group Dose Mean (in mm)+SEM
1hr 2 hrs 3hrs 4 hrs
Control G1

0.21+0.04 0.27+0.06 0.36+0.086 0.29+0.089

5ml/kg
(Saline)
Standard G2
Diclofenac

0.14+0.03 0.09+0.028 0.7+0.02 0.48+0.026

20mg/kg
(51.78%) (66.97%) (48.21%) (59.66%)

200mg/kg 0.22+0.01 0.17+0.014 0.14+0.007 0.12+0.01

p. o (53.57%) (86.11%) (96.42%) (75.78%)
G5 & G 6 G3&G4
Water

400mg/kg 0.16+0.02 0.13+0.017 0.11+0.015 0.12+0.017

p. o (8.92%) (36.11%) (50%) (50%)
200mg/kg 0.09+0.02 0.07+0.02 0.06+0.02 0.033+0.023
p. o (39.28%) (27.77%) (92.14%) (32.57%)
Ethanol

0.032+0.001 0.024+0.002 0.203+0.036 0.188+0.0066

400mg/kg
(79.14%) (73.05%) (71.077%) (74.66%)

200mg/kg 0.133+0.033 0.14+0.03 0.123+0.026 0.098+0.023

p. o (5.35%) (55.55%) (75%) (79.47%)
G7 & G 8
Acetate
Ethyl

400mg/kg 0.18+0.01 0.163+0.017 0.143+0.0166 0.128+0.014

p. o (28.57%) (80.55%) (79.64%) (73.15%)

Table.2. Effect of water (1), ethanol (2) and ethylacetate (3) extracts of E. variegata leaves on Analgesic activiy
Group Dose Mean time (in seconds) + SEM
1hr 2 hrs 3hrs 4 hrs
Diclofenac G2 (Saline) G1

5ml/kg 2.25+0.287 2.25+0.28 2+0.13 2.25+0.32

Control

5.25+0.37 5.5+0.33 6.75+0.28 7.5+0.33

20mg/kg
Standard

(57.14%) (59.09%) (70.37%) (70%)

J. of Advanced Botany and Zoology Volume 2/ Issue 2 ISSN: 2348 – 7313 3

 200mg/kg 3.75+0.28 4+0.47 5+0.47 6+0.43
p. o (28.57 %) (27.27%) (25.92%) (20%)

G3&G4
Water
400mg/kg 4.5+0.32 5.5+0.31 6.25+0.55 7.25+0.28
p. o (14.28%) (0%) (7.40%) (3.44%)
200mg/kg 3.5+0.41 5.25+0.32 3.25+0.27 2.5+0.29
p. o (33.33%) (4.54%) (51.85%) (66.66%)
G5&G6
Ethanol

3.75+0.25 5.25+0.23 3.75+0.261 2.75+0.216

400mg/kg
(29.04%) (4.54%) (44.44%) (63.33%)

200mg/kg 2.75+0.275 3.5+0.25 4.25+0.31 2.75+0.19

p. o (47.90%) (36.36%) (37.03%) (63.33%)
G7&G8

3.25+0.267 3+0.47
Acetate

400mg/kg 2.75+0.27 2.75+0.21

Ethyl

(51.85%) (60%)
p. o (47.90%) (50%)

DISCUSSION 2. Murugalakshmi, M., Valli, G., Mareeswari, P and

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Citation: Murugalakshmi.M et all.. (2014) Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Erythrina Variegata Leaves Extracts. J.
of Advanced Botany and Zoology, V2I2. DOI: 10.15297/JABZ.V2I2.03.

Copyright: © 2014 Murugalakshmi.M. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author
and source are credited.

J. of Advanced Botany and Zoology Volume 2/ Issue 2 ISSN: 2348 – 7313 5