Assessment of anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective potency of Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula leaf in Wistar albino rats

The objective of the present study was to screen various solvent extracts of Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula (Annonaceae) leaf for anti-inflammatory activity and to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective potency of the potent solvent extract. Successive extraction was performed with six different solvents, viz. petroleum ether, hexane, toluene, chloroform, acetone and methanol. Toluene, chloroform, acetone and methanol were used in acute inflammatory studies; the results revealed methanol as most potent extract. Hence three concentrations of methanolic extract (300, 600, 900 mg/kg) were used to evaluate its potential as an anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective agent. Diclofenac sodium was used as the toxicant in hepatoprotective studies, in which various serum biochemical parameters and liver glycogen were assessed. The three concentrations of methanol showed anti-inflammatory activity comparable to that of the control (Diclofenac sodium). All the serum biochemical parameters studied revealed the hepatoprotective nature of the methanol extract, but a concentration effect was not observed. The results indicated that the methanolic extract of Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula leaf possesses significant anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity. However, the appropriate effective concentration needs to be determined.