Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic and Antipyretic Activity of Terminalia arjuna Roxb. Extract in Animal Models
Linda Chularojanamontri PhD*, Natthakarn Chiruntanat PhD**, Kanjana Jaijoy PhD***, Noppamas Soonthornchareonnon PhD****, Seewaboon Sireeratawong PhD**
Affiliation : * Division of Pharmacology, Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Rungsit Campus, Khlong Luang, Pathumthani, Thailand ** Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand *** McCormick Faculty of Nursing, Payap University, Chiang Mai, Thailand **** Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : Terminalia arjuna Roxb. (family Combretaceae) is commonly known as ‘Sa maw thet’ in Thai. The fruit is used
in traditional medicine as natural mild laxatives, carminative and expectorant.
Objective : This research aims to study the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of Terminalia arjuna extract
by using animal models in comparison to the reference drugs.
Material and Method: The anti-inflammatory study was conducted by 2 experimental animal models namely ethyl
phenylpropiolate (EPP)-induced ear edema and carrageenan-induced paw edema. The study of analgesic activity used 2
methods of pain induction including acetic acid and heat induced pain. In addition, the antipyretic activity study was performed
by induced hyperthermia with yeast.
Results : The results showed that the oral administration of Terminalia arjuna extract possessed acute anti-inflammatory
effect in carrageenan-induced paw edema. Terminalia arjuna extract showed the analgesic activity in acetic acid-induced
writhing response and heat-induced pain. This indicated its peripheral effect by inhibiting the biosynthesis and/or release of
some pain mediators and some mechanism through central nervous system. Moreover, Terminalia sp. extract at the dose of
1000 and 1500 mg/kg body weight showed the antipyretic activity, The effect could be due to the inhibition of prostaglandins
synthesis.
Conclusion : The findings of this study indicated that the Terminalia arjuna extract possesses the anti-inflammatory, analgesic
and antipyretic activities in animals.
Keywords : Terminalia arjuna extract, anti-inflammatory activity, analgesic activity, antipyretic activity
