Abstract

The present study was envisaged to assess the rationality for the use of traditionally in vogue herb Atropa acuminata as an anti-inflammatory agent. The drug, that is, A. acuminata when tested against carrageenan induced paw oedema showed significant anti-inflammatory activity at the dose of 1 g/kg body weight. The effects were analyzed by following the evaluation of various biochemical parameters including succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione, xanthine oxidase (XO), catalase and reduced glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured and the results suggested that the extracts possess significant anti-inflammatory activity, and with regard to certain parameters, the extracts performed fairly well than the allopathic drug, Diclofenac.

Key words: Atropa acuminate, anti-inflammatory lipid peroxidation activity, carrageenan