| dc.description.abstract | Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a mediator associated
with physiological and pathological conditions.
Although it has various physiological roles at
normal level, alterations in PGE2 are associated
with pathological conditions such as inflammatory
diseases. Psychotria sarmentosa (“Gonica” in
Sinhala) leaves are consumed in the form of a
traditional porridge. Indigenous healers prescribe
an aqueous extract of these leaves for individuals
who have been physically assaulted, indicating
that it may possess potent analgesic and/or antiinflammatory
activity. Our previous studies have
also shown that aqueous extract of these leaves
has significant anti-inflammatory activity in rats.
As PGE2 is an inflammatory marker, an attempt
has been made to evaluate inhibition of PGE2
level on adjuvant-induced arthritis rat model, in
the present study. Healthy adult male Wistar rats
(150-200 g) were used for the experiment (n=6/
group). The negative and positive control groups
were orally administered with 1.0 ml of distilled
water and celecoxib (20 mg/kg b.w.) respectively.
The test group received a dose of 100 mg/kg b.w.of
aqueous extract of P. sarmentosa leaves (AEPL)
which was found to be the most effective dose
during the studies on acute anti-inflammatory
activity. The oral treatments were started on day
14 and continued to day 28. This results showed
that the treatment with 100 mg/kg b.w.of AEPL
significantly (p ≤ 0.05) inhibited the PGE2 level as
compared to the negative control. It was 436±85
pg/l in AEPL group whereasit was 792±158 pg/l
for negative control. The PGE2 level for celecoxib
treated group was 294±54 pg/l. Hence, the
present study has demonstrated that the aqueous
extract of P. sarmentosa leaves has PGE2 inhibitory
activity which may be contributing to its antiinflammatory
effect and it justifies the traditional
use of this plant in the treatment of various types
of inflammation. | en_US |
