ANTI INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF FLAVONOID FRACTION ISOLATED FROM THE STEM BARK OF BUTEA MONOSPERMA (LAM): A MECHANISM BASED STUDY

Abstract:

In this study the anti inflammatory activity of the flavonoid fraction isolated from the stem bark of Butea monosperma was evaluated in vitro on key enzymes of arachidonic acid cascade involved in the mediation of inflammation. The flavonoid fraction inhibited the COX-2 and 5-LOX enzymes with an IC₅₀ of 5µg mL^-1 and 12µg mL^-1 respectively. Based on the in vitro studies data the in vivo anti inflammatory activity of flavonoid fraction was evaluated by using acute inflammatory models like; carrageenan induced paw oedema and chronic model like; cotton-pellet induced granuloma. The flavonoid fraction significantly reduced the inflammation in the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema and <a href="http://www.aucheaptrx.com/">cheap trx for sale</a>  cotton-pellet induced granuloma in rats. The flavonoid fraction did not inhibit the gastric acid secretion suggesting that its anti ulcerogenic effect can be attributed to its action on the mucosa defense factors. The phytochemical investigations revealed that the flavonoid fraction contains two isoflavones genistein and prunetine. Hence the anti inflammatory activity of the flavonoid fraction may be due to these isoflovones.The safety and efficacy profiles indicated that the flavonoid fraction of Butea monosperma stem bark is a safe intervention for inflammatory disorders with gastric cytoprotective properties.

Keywords: Butea monosperma, Flavonoid fraction, Cyclooxygenases, Lipoxygenases, Anti inflammatory activity; Gastric acid, Antioxidants.