Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of Platanus orientalis Linn. and its ulcerogenic risk evaluation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Leaves of Platanus orientalis Linn. are used in folk medicine as a wound-healer and ophthalmologic agent. Phytol derivatives from the leaves of plane-tree show anti-ulcer activity. Its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects for knee pain were known to Persian scientists and hakims.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ethanolic extract of Platanus orientalis Linn. and its various fractions were given at a dose of 100mg/kg po and 200mg/kg po for testing their anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan induced hind paw edema. The analgesic activity of the ethanolic extract and its fractions has been carried out by tail-flick method and writhing test at a dosage of 200mg/kg po. Gastric ulceration studies have been further carried out to study the ulcerogenic risk evaluation of the ethanolic extract and its various fractions at a dose of 600mg/kg body weight.

RESULTS: Among the tested fractions, chloroform fraction exhibited better inhibition (68.33%) at 200mg/kg po dosage when compared to the standard drug Ibuprofen (66.66%) after 3h in the carrageenan induced hind paw edema. The ethanolic extract and all its fractions especially the chloroform (p<0.01) showed significant analgesic activity with insignificant ulceration as compared to the standard drug i.e. Ibuprofen. The histopathological study of ethanolic extract and its fractions revealed that none of them cause ulcer.

CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that Platanus orientalis Linn. has significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.