Background and objective: Ixora coccinea has mentioned in Ayurveda as Paranti and traditionally stems used in inflammatory diseases like sprains, eczema, contusions and boils. Present study deals with assessment of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of extracts of I. coccinea stem. Methodology: Anti-inflammatory activity was accessed by in vivo carrageenan-induced paw edema in rat and in vitro human red blood cell membrane stabilization method. Total tannin and flavonoid content of I. coccinea extracts was determined by using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and aluminum chloride method, respectively. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by in vitro assay involving nitric oxide scavenging, H2O2 scavenging, 2, 2- diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and ion chelating activity. Results: Chloroform extract showed significant reduction of inflammation in carrageenan induced rat paw edema (p<0.05) and protection of HRBC in hypotonic solution. Methanol extract contain more total tannin and flavonoid content as compared with petroleum ether and chloroform extract. All extracts showed concentration dependant free radical scavenging activity. Conclusions: The chloroform extracts of I. coccinea stems showed anti-inflammatory activity supporting use in traditional medicine to treat in inflammatory condition. This study also affirmed that I. coccinea extracts is a potential source of antioxidant and could be used to prevent the diseases associated due to free radical. Due to antioxidant activity, extract might show anti-inflammatory activity.

Keywords: Anti-inflammatory activity; Antioxidant activity; Carrageenan-induced paw edema; HRBC; Ixora coccinea