Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Nociceptive Activity of Pandanus tectorius Parkinson

Pandanus tectorius (Pandanaceae) was being used ethnomedically for treatment of diseases like asthma, cough, and bronchitis and locally as analgesic. Chemical constituents of leaves included triterpene, squalene and phytosterols. The study was aimed to evaluate both anti-inflammatory and anti nociceptive activity of the ethanolic extract of fresh leaves of Pandanus tectorius (PTEE) in rats using the carrageenan-induced paw oedema method in rats and tail-flick model in mice at various dose levels. Ceiling effect of the extract was observed at 300 mg/kg in carrageenan test. The effect was equivalent to phenylbutazone (80 mg/kg, p.o.) at 300 mg/kg. Effectiveness of extract in the late phase of inflammation suggests the inhibition of prostagalandins and leukotrienes release. The extract produced marked analgesic activity at 300 mg/kg and the effect was comparable to that of standard drug, Ibuprofen (100 mg/kg, p.o). Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, sterols, triterpenes and flavanoids in extract. In conclusion, this study has established the anti-inflammatory activity and analgesic activity of P. tectorius and, thus, justifies the ethnic uses of the plant.