Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory and Membrane Stabilizing Property of Ethanol Root Extract of Rubus ellipticus Smith in Albino Rats

Abstract

This study reports the anti-inflammatory and membrane stabilizing property of an ethanolic root extract of Rubus ellipticus Smith in rats. The carregeenin-induced rat paw edema was utilized as a model for acute inflammatory and the probable mode by which Rubus ellipticus mediates its effects on inflammatory conditions was studied on rat blood cells exposed to hypotonic solution. The results of the study revealed that the extract possesses antiinflammatory activity. Rubus ellipticus significantly (p<0.01, p<0.001) reduced the oedema swelling induced by carrageenin in rats at both the dose levels of 250 and 500 mg/kg, while 125 mg/kg did not show any significant activity. However, the extract did not exhibit membrane stabilizing property, as it failed to significantly (p<0.05) reduced the levels of haemolysis of RBC exposed to hypotonic solution. The acute toxicity studies of oral doses of ethanolic root extract in rats revealed that it has a high safety profile, as the extract was well tolerated by the animals. The results of the study suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity demonstrated by Rubus ellipticus may not be related to membrane stabilization.