https://imcjms.com Ibrahim Medical College Journal of Medical Science https://imcjms.com/registration/journal_full_text/19 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 08:20:31 +0000 Piper chaba Hunter (Piperaceae), a climbing glabrous shrub grows in plenty in southern Bangladesh. Popularly known as ‘Choi’ it is used as spices and believed to have medicinal value in a wide variety of disease conditions including arthritis, asthma, bronchitis and piles. Earlier studies on methanol extract of Piper chaba stem bark have reported anti-inflammatory activities against acute inflammation. In the present study, effect of methanol extract of Piper chaba stem bark on chronic inflammation has been reported. The anti-inflammatory effect was studied in rats using cotton pellet implantation method, where granuloma formation was used as an index of chronic inflammation. Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2008; 2(2): 37-39 Address for Correspondence: Dr. Fouzia Begum, Lecturer, Department of Pharmacology, Ibrahim Medical College, 122 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Shahbagh, Dhaka-1000 Introduction Considering its reported anti-inflammatory properties and availability in our country, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of methanol extract of Piper chaba stem bark, compared to steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents in case of chronic inflammation in rats. Materials and Methods 30 Long Evan Norwegian rats of either sex, weighing between 150-200g were kept under standard conditions of light and temperature, fed with animal pellets and allowed to drink water ad libitum.   The dry weight of the granuloma as measured by the formula CPW2 – CPW1 was 24.2 mg ± 0.08 mg for the control group, while those of methanol extract of Piper chaba (125 mg/kg b.w.), methanol extract of Piper chaba (250 mg/kg b.w.), aspirin (100 mg/kg b.w.) and hydrocortisone (2 mg/kg b.w.) treated groups were 18.3 ± 0.20, 17.5 ± 0.28, 14.3 ± 0.18, 10.49 ± 0.17 mg respectively. The differences compared to the control group in the dry weight of granuloma were statistically significant (Table 1). Compared to control group, the percent inhibition of granuloma formation with methanol extracts of Piper chaba (125 mg and 250 mg/kg b.w.), aspirin and hydrocortisone treated groups were 25, 28, 41 and 58 respectively. The percent inhibition with methanol extracts of Piper chaba (25% and 28%) was comparatively less than that of aspirin (41%) and hydrocortisone (58%) (Table 1). Table-1: Anti-inflammatory effects of Piper chaba extracts, aspirin and hydrocortisone on cotton pellet induced granuloma in rat. weight of cotton pellet (CPW1 in mg) mean±s.e.m. Increment of cotton pellet (CPW2-CPW1 in mg) mean ± s.e.m. Group-I (Control) 46.22 ± 0.18   20.00 ± 0.018 18.3 ± 0.20* Group-III (Piper chaba extract 250 mg/kg b.w.) 37.53 ± 0.20 28 20.00 ± 0.018 14.3 ± 0.18*** Group- V (hydrocortisone 2 mg/kg b.w.) 30.37 ± 0.18 58 * P< 0.05 in a test of significance difference from control. *** P < 0.001 in a test of significance difference from control. Discussion Earlier studies showed a significant anti-inflammatory effect of methanol extract of Piper chaba stem bark in case of acute inflammation.6 However, no report is available in case of chronic inflammation. The results suggest that Piper chaba stem bark possess mild to moderate anti-inflammatory effect compared to aspirin and hydrocortisone in case of chronic inflammation. However, further studies should be carried out to isolate the active principle and to evaluate further its dynamics, kinetics and safety profile before it can be recommended for clinical use.   1.  Kirtikar KR, Basu BD. Indian Medicinal Plants,        Piper chaba. International Book Distributors 1987; 3: 2130-2131. 3.  Yusuf M, Chowdhury JU, Begum DJ, Medicinal Plants of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 1994;192. 5.  Morikawa T, Matsuda H, Yamaguchi I, Pongpiriyadacha Y, Yoshikawa M. New amides and gastroprotective constituents from the fruit of Piper chaba. Planta Medica 2004; 70: 152-159. 7.  Gupta KC, Rupawalla EN and Sheth UK. Anti-inflammatory and other pharmacological studies of N-b (3, 4-dimethoxyphenylethyl) anthramilic acid (RH-15): a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. Indian J Med Res 1970; 58: 110-118. 9.  Robbins SL and Cotran RS –Ed. Acute and chronic inflammation: Pathologic basis of disease. 7th Ed. Reed Elsevier India Private Limited. 2004; 48-86. 2026 Ibrahim Medical College. All rights reserved.