https://imcjms.com Ibrahim Medical College Journal of Medical Science https://imcjms.com/registration/journal_full_text/257 Thu, 13 Jul 2017 09:45:30 +0000 Aegle Marmelos Linn (Rutaceae) is used as ethno medicine against various human ailments. Several curde extracts from various parts (Leaves, flower, stem, root etc) of the plant A. marmelos Linn have shown variable anti-inflammatory effects in acute and chronic inflammation in animal models. The anti-inflammatory effects of A marmelos linn may be of special advantage compared to conventional anti-inflammatory drugs. The present study has therefore been undertaken with the objective to evaluate the anti inflammatory effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of A. marmelos leaves, compared to a standard anti-inflammatory drug (indomethacin) in chronic inflammatory conditions. The anti-inflammatory effect was studied in rats using cotton pellet implantation, where granuloma formation was used as an index of chronic inflammation. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of A. marmelos leaves were given orally for 7 days daily at doses of 100 mg/kg body weight. The percent inhibition of granuloma formation following treatment with aqueous and ethanolic extracts of A. marmelos leaves, and indomethacin compared to control were 16.5%, 25.72%, and 39.37% respectively. The differences were statistically significant (p<0.05 in case of aqueous and ethanolic extracts and p<0.001 in case of indomethacin). The results suggest that in case of chronic inflammation, both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of A. marmelos have significant anti- inflammatory effect. The ethanolic extracts compared to aqueous extract produced greater anti- inflammatory effects. Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2015; 9(2): 52-54   Inflammation is normally a primary physiologic defense mechanism that helps body to protect itself from tissue injury caused by physical trauma, noxious chemicals or microbiological agents. It is the body’s effort to inactivate or destroy the invading organisms, remove irritants and set the stage for tissue repair.1 Though it is a defense mechanism, the complex events and mediators involved in inflammatory reactions induce, maintain or aggravate many disease processes. An uncontrolled and persistent inflammation may act as etiologic factor for many chronic illness.2 The currently available antiinflammatory drugs are a heterogeneous group of compounds, often chemically unrelated, which nevertheless share certain unwanted effects. The most common adverse effect is a propensity to induce gastric irritation, hyperacidityand other symptoms. Therefore, the present trend is to find out more acceptable agents which would be devoid of the potential adverse effect. Use of herbal medicine throughout the world is increasing. Plants are the primary source of supply of many important drugs used in modern medicine also.   Plant material and preparation of extract   Thirty two (32) Wister Albino Rats of either sex, weighting between 100-150g were kept under standard condition of light and temperature, fed with standard rat pellet diet and allowed to drink water ad libitum. Experimental design Percent inhibition of granuloma formation was calculated in each case by using the formula: 100 x (1- Wt / Wc). Where, Wt =mean dry weight of granuloma in drug treated group;   All the results have been expressed as the mean ± standard error of mean. The significance of the differences between treatment and control group were calculated using student’s t-test. Results       Discussion The study showed that both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Aegle marmelos leaves produced significant anti inflammatory effect. The results of the present study provide a rationale for use of A. marmelos leaves as a herbal medicine in chronic inflammatory conditions. However, further studies is needed to provide evidences for the safety of the long term administration of the extracts, before it can be recommended as potential anti-inflammatory drug in the management of chronic inflammatory conditions. Then further studies may be undertaken to isolate and identify the active antiiflammatory component from the studied crude extracts. References 2.    Kumar V, Abbas K, Fausto N, Jon C Aster. Robbin and Cortan, Acute and Chronic inflammation: pathologic Basis of disease, 8th edition. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders 2010; 45-75. 4.    Arul V, Miyazaki S, Dhananjayan R. Studies on the anti-inflammatory, anti pyretic and analgesic properties of leaves of Aegle marmelos corr. J of Ethnopharmacol 2005; 96: 159-63.  6.   Sharma GN, Dubey SK, Sati N,Sanadya J. Anti inflammatory activity and total flavonoid content of Aegle marmalos seeds. IJPSDR 2011; 3(3): 214-218. 2026 Ibrahim Medical College. All rights reserved.