Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity of Capparis zeylanica Linn.

root extract / Asian Journal of Traditional Medicines, 2013, 8(1)

Regular articles

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity of Capparis zeylanica Linn. root extract
Sunil Kumar Mishraa*, Paras Nath Singha, Satyadev Dubeyb
a b

Department of Pharmaceutics, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India; Department of Dravyaguna, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India

Abstract The root of Capparis zeylanica Linn. in particular is recommended for CNS problem and traditionally it used as analgesic by some tribe in accidental pain. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect of the methanolic and water extracts using different acute and chronic models of rat and mice. Fresh root of the plant was collected at the flowering stage in December from university campus. Air-dried and powdered roots were Soxhlet extracted in water and alcohol. Extracts were phytochemicaly screened by standard methods showing the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phenols and tannins. Both the extracts were evaluated for analgesic, in-flammatory and anti-pyretic study by pre reported methods. It was observed that both the extracts contain phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonols, alkaloids, sapoinins and flavonoids. The extracts (200400 mg/kg) of Capparis zeylanica root showing dose-dependent and significant (P<0.05) increases in pain threshold in tail-immersion test. Moreover, the extracts (200400 mg/kg) also exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of writhing and also showed a significant (P<0.05) inhibition of both phases of the formalin induced pain test. The alcoholic extract (200-400 mg/kg) significantly (P<0.05) reversed yeast-induced fever where as no significant result was obtained with water extract. The results obtained in this study indicate that the extracts possess analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. The study seems to provide a rationale for the traditional use of this plant in pain, inflammation and pyrexia disorders.

Key words: Capparis zeylanica; alkaloids; analgesic; tannins, phenols

1 Introduction
The selected medicinal plant Capparis zeylanica Linn. (C. horrida Linn., Capparis brevispina DC.) is known as Indian caper belonging to family Capparidaceae and it is known as Vyakhranakhi, kinkani, tapasapriya, granthila, karambha [1]. It

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Address: Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutics, IIT (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi 221 005. India.; Tel.: +097-93523844, +054-26702093; Email: Skmishra.phe@itbhu.ac.in Received: 2012-08-23 Accepted: 2013-03-18

grows in moist habitat and is found throughout the majour parts of India. In different parts of India it is known with different names like Asadhua in Orissa, Kathotti in tamil etc. [2]. Capparis zeylanica is commonly known as Indian caper; a climbing shrub found throughout India and has been used as a Rasayana drug in the traditional ayurvedic system of medicine and is reported to posses anti oxidant, antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and immunostimulant activity [3]. The root of C. zeylanica is used traditionally as stomachic, sedative, antihydrotic and also in cholera, neuralgia, hepiplagia and rheumatism [3]. The root

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of Capparis zeylanica contains alkaloid, phenols, phytosterols, fatty acids and mucilages [4]. The plant possesses sedative property [5, 6]. The root bark in particular is recommended for CNS problem and traditionally it is used as narcotic by some tribe in accidental pain [7]. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect of both the extracts using different acute and chronic models of rat and mice.

2 Materials and methods

2.1 Plant Fresh root of the C. Zeylanica L. (Capparidaceae), collected at the flowering stage in December from university campus BHU, varanasi and the specimen (no. H.P.L. 512, 2010) is deposited in the departmental herbarium. 2.2 Extraction

present in ethanolic extract various tests were employed using different reagents [9, 10]. Phytochemical screening for the presence of secondary metabolites was performed using TLC analyses (pre-coated aluminium silica gel plates, GF254, Merck) with different eluting systems. The solvent systems were (CH2Cl2: MeOH, 19:1), CHCl3: EtOAc: MeOH; 2:2:1), (CHCl3: MeOH, 9:1 and 8:2), (CHCl3: MeOH: H2O; 65:35:5), (n-BuOH: MeOH: H2O, 5:1:1). Spray reagents used in order to develop the spots were: 1% ferric chloride (tannins), 2% aluminium chloride in ethanol (flavonoids), 40% sulphuric acid/methanol (saponins), and Dragendorff reagent (alkaloids) [11]. Also, one dimensional PC was performed on Whatmann using BAW solvent systems (n-BuOH: AcOH: H2O, 4:1:5 organic layer) and 15% AcOH/H2O. The change of spot colours on the chromatograms was detected by exposing to ammonia vapour or spraying with 1% methanol AlCl3 or FeCl3 [12]. 2.4 Quantitative estimation of phyto-constituents

Air-dried, powdered roots were Soxhlet extracted with petroleum ether, ethanol and the mark was macerated with water giving a water extract. The extracts evaporated in vacuum gave petroleum ether, alcohol and water fractions. The yield of evaporated dried Capparis zeylanica (CZ) root extract based on dry weight basis was calculated from the following equation: Yield (g/100 g of dry plant material) = (W1 100) / W2 Where, W1 and W2 were the weight of the extract after the solvent evaporation and the weight of the dry plant material, respectively. 2.3 Preliminary Phytochemical Screening Extracts were concentrated and subjected to various chemical tests to detect the presence of different phytoconstituents as per standard procedure [8]. For the screening of class of phytoconstituents

2.4.1 Total Phenol The total phenolic, flavonoid, flavonol and tannin contents of each active fraction was measured according to the methods previously described for total phenolics, flavonoids and flavonols [13]. The total phenolic content of plant extracts was determined using FolinCiocalteu reagent (FCR). This method depends on the reduction of FCR by phenols to a mixture of blue oxides which have a maximal absorption in the region of 750 nm. The total phenolic content is expressed as the number of equivalents of gallic acid (GAE). 2.4.2 Total Flavonoid The flavonoids content was determined by aluminium chloride method using rutin as a

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reference compound. This method based on the formation of a complex flavonoid-aluminum having the absorptivity maximum at 415 nm. The amount of flavonoids in plant extracts in rutin equivalents (RE) was calculated by the following formula: X = (A mo) / (Ao m) where X is the flavonoid content, mg/mg plant extract in CZ, A is the absorption of plant extract solution, Ao is the absorption of standard rutin solution, m is the weight of plant extract, mg and mo is the weight of rutin in the solution, mg. 2.4.3 Flavonol The content of flavonols was determined by using rutin as a reference compound. This method also based on the formation of complex with maximum absorption at 440 nm [14, 11]. Absorbance at 440nm was taken using Rutin as standard. The amount of flavonols in plant extracts in rutin equivalents (RE) was calculated by the same formula of flavonoids: X = (A mo) / (Ao m) where X is the flavonol content, mg/mg plant extract in CZ, A is the absorption of plant extract solution, Ao is the absorption of standard rutin solution, m is the weight of plant extract, mg and mo is the weight of rutin in the solution, mg. 2.4.4 Tannins The total content of tannins was determined using FCR. About10 mL (100 g/mL) of each fraction (solution 1, S1) was mixed with 100 mg of casein with interval shaking for two hours (adsorption of tannins) and then filtered (solution 2, S2). The total phenol contents for both solutions S1 and S2 using Folin iocalteus methods. The difference between absorbances of S1 and S2 correspond to concentration casein-adsorbed tannins in sample. The total casein-adsorbed tannins are expressed as the number of equivalents of gallic acid (GAE) [14, 11].

2.4.5 Saponin 1 gm of powered material was shaken vigorously with water in test tube. Development of Persistence foam reveals the presence of Saponins. Saponin content was estimated by standard method [15]. The extract obtained was evaporated and weighed; the saponin content was calculated as a percentage of the sample. 2.4.6 Alkaloid Total alkaloids in the extract of CZ root were estimated by using the standard procedure [16]. The weighed plant material (15 g) was extracted with 200 mL chloroformetheralcohol (90%; 23 + 8 + 2.5) for 10 min. The extracts were treated with ammonia, sulfuric acid and separated with chloroform. Solvents were evaporated; the residue was washed with alcohol, dried and weighed. 2.5 Pharmacological study 2.5.1 Animals Swiss mice (1820 g) and Wistar rats (150 200 g) of either sex kept at the Laboratory Animal Center of the Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, Varanasi, India were used. The animals were housed under standard environmental conditions and had free access to standard pellet diet (Goldmohar brand, Lipton India Ltd.) and water ad libitum. 2.5.2 Acute toxicity and LD50 The acute toxicity of extracts was determined as per the OECD guideline no. 423 [17]. The method described by [18] was employed in the determination of the LD50 and it was calculated as the square root of the product of the lowest lethal dose and highest non-lethal dose.

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2.5.3 Mouse writhing assay The standard method was used [19]. The extracts (100400 mg/kg, oral) or acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg/kg, s.c.) was administered to mice 60 and 30 min, respectively, before intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid (0.6%, v/v in saline, 10 mL/kg). 10% v/v propylene glycol was used as the control. The number of writhes was counted for 15 min (Table 1).
Table 1. Effects of the C. Zeylanica root extracts on acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. Material Control Alcoholic extract No. of writhes Inhibition Dose (mg/kg) z (15 min) (%) 100 200 400 Water extract 100 200 400 Acetylsalicylate 100 37.00.70 27.60.54* 25.20.83* 24.40.56* 32.60.5 27.60.89* 25.30.53* 11.80.83** 0 25.41 31.9 34.05 11.9 25.41 31.62 68.11

Table 2. Effects of C. Zeylanica root extracts on tail-immersion test in mice. Material Control Alcohol extract Dose (mg/kg) Reaction time (s) Increase (%) 100 200 400 Water extract 100 200 400 Morphine 10 2.60.54 3.40.54 4.80.83 5.20.36* 3.60.83 4.20.44 5.00.28* 7.00.70** 0 30.76 84.18 100 38.46 61.54 92.31 169.23

Note: Values are meanS.D. *P<0.05, **P<0.01; significantly different from control; n=6.

2.5.5 Formalin test The method used was similar to that described previously by Shibata et al . [20]. Twenty l of 1% v/v formalin was injected subcutaneously into the right hind paw of mice. The time in second spent in licking and biting responses of the injected paw was taken as an indicator of pain response. Responses were measured for 5 min after formalin injection (first phase) and 15 30 min after formalin injection (second phase). The alcohol and water extracts (100400 mg/kg, oral) and acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg/kg, s.c.) were administered 60 and 30 min, respectively, before formalin injection. Control animals received 10% v/v propylene glycol (10 mL/kg). 2.5.6 Antipyretic activity Antipyretic activity of drug was measured by slightly modifying the method described by Adams et al . Rats were fasted overnight with water ad libitum before the experiments. Pyrexia was induced by subcutaneously injecting 20% w/v brewers yeast suspension (10 mL/kg) into the animals dorsum region. Nineteenth h after the injection, the rectal temperature of each rat was measured using a thermometer. Only rats that showed an increase

Note: Values are expressed as meanS.D. **P<0.01, *P<0.05 significantly different from control. n=6.

2.5.4 Tail-immersion test Mice were divided into six groups each containing six animals. The lower 5 cm portion of the tail was immersed in a beaker of water maintained at (550.5)C. The time in second for tail withdrawal from the water was taken as the reaction time, with a cut-off time of immersion set at 10 s. The reaction time was measured 1h before and 1h after oral administration of alcohol and water extracts (100400 mg/kg) or 10% v/v propylene glycol (10 mL/kg). Morphine (10 mg/kg) was administered subcutaneously, 30 min before the test (Table 2).

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in temperature of at least 0.7C were employed for the experiments. The alcohol and water extracts (100400 mg/kg) or 10% v/v propylene glycol solution (10 mL/kg) was administered orally and the temperature was measured at 0, 1, 2 and 3 h after drug administration. 2.5.7 Anti-inflammatory activity 2.5.7.1 Carrageenan-induced paw edema (Acute anti-inflammatory model) Anti-inflammatory activity of drug was measured by the method of [21] using plethysmograph to measure the paw volume of rat. Rats were fasted overnight with water ad libitum before the experiments. A mark was made on both the hind paws just below the tibio-torsal junction. After 30 min. of treatment, an inflammatory edema was induced in the left hind paw by injection of 0.1mL of 1.00% carrageenan solution in the plantar tissue of the paw of all the animals. Initial paw volume was measured within 30 sec. after the injection. The relative increase in paw volume was measured after carrageenan injection at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min. respectively. The percentage increase in paw volume was calculated by comparing with the control group. The percentage inhibition of edema volume was calculated by using the formula, Percentage inhibition = (1-Vt) / Vc 100 Vt is increase in paw volume of treated group Vc is increase in paw volume of control group 2.5.7 Cotton pellet granuloma model (Sub-acute anti-inflammatory model) The model of Goldstein et. al, was used with few modifications [22]. Sterilized cotton pellet of 20 mg. was implanted beneath the abdominal skin in axial or groin region of rat through a single incision along the midline under anesthesia using pentobarbitone

(40 mg/kg. i.p.). The male albino rats (150-200 g) divided in to groups (n=6) and treated with vehicle, Diclofinac-Na and extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) of water as well as alcohol for 7 days. On eighth day rats were anesthetized and extraneous material removed, dried in oven (60oC) for 24hr and weighed in each group. The increase in weight was compared with control and percentage inhibition was calculated using the formula: Percentage inhibition = (1-Wt/Wc) 100 Whereas Wt is granuloma weight in treated group and Wc is granuloma weight in control group. 2.5.8 Statistical analysis The results obtained were expressed as mean SEM (Standard error of mean) of six animals. For statistical analysis, ANOVA was followed by post hoc Dunnetts test for multiple comparisons. Effects were considered to be significant at the P<0.05 level. Results are expressed as meanSEM.

3 Results
3.1 Phytochemical screening CZ root extract contain alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, flavonols, saponins, mucilages, carbohydrate, fixed oils, proteins, steroids and terpenoids. The dried extracts of (ethanol and water) Capparis zeylanica root contain Alkaloids, Phenol, Flavonoid, Flavonol, Tannins, alkaloids and Saponin, the estimated amount expressed in per gm of dry extract in alcohol and water. (Table 3) 3.2 Acute toxicity and LD50 Acute toxicity study of both the extracts was observed that the test extract was not mortal even at 2000 mg/kg dose. Hence, 1/20th (2000 mg), 1/10th (2000 mg/kg) and 1/5th (2000 mg/kg) of this dose

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were selected for further study. The LD50 in rodents for the extracts were estimated to be 1624.542.6, 142862.8 mg/kg, p.o. and 324.612.4, 310.411.8 mg/kg i.p., respectively. During observation the animals exhibited decreased mobility, respiratory distress (gasping) with eventual immobility but without convulsions or loss of righting reflex prior to death.
Table 3. Main constituents of Capparis Zeylanica root extracts Chemical Amount (Ethanolic Amount (Aq. Extract) Constituents extract) Total tannin 24.751.23 mg/gm 21.12.37 mg GAE/g GAE/g of dry extract of dry extract Total flavonoids 0.876 0.26 mg 0.672 0.039 mg Rutin/g of dry extract Rutin/g of dry extract Total flavonols 1.653 1.41mg rutin 1.082 0.61mg rutin equivalents/g dry equivalents/g dry extract extract Total phenols 43.6251.45 mg/gm 38.43 7.821 mg GAE/g of dry extract GAE/g of dry extract Saponins Alkaloids 1.220.35 % of dry 1.130.64 % of dry extract extract 4.320.032 mg/gm of 3.810.35 mg/gm of dry extract dry extract

produced by the highest dose (400 mg/kg) of the extracts was significant at (P<0.05) lower than that by acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg/kg). The effect of extracts on tail-immersion tests was also observed and shown in (Table 2). The extracts showing a dose-dependent inhibition of pain, alcoholic extract being more active than the water extract. There was a significant, dose-dependent inhibition of both phases of the formalin-induced pain response in mice, with a more potent effect on the second than the first phase (Table 4). 3.4 Anti-inflammatory effects 3.4.1 Carrageenan-induced paw edema (Acute antiinflammatory model) The rats treated with oral administration of both the extract of Capparis zeylanica root reduced acute paw edema volume as compared to the control. The percentage inhibition of paw edema was increased with time and gave maximum effect at 2hr, then declined in case of standard extract 400 mg/kg body weight. Only the 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of both the extracts exhibited a significant result ( P <0.05) when compared with control. Both the extracts of C. Zeylanica exhibited dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity (Table 5) but the better effect of alcoholic extract was observed.

3.3 Analgesic effects In the mouse writhing assay, both extracts caused a significant and dose-dependent inhibition of the writhes was observed (Table 1). The inhibition

Table 4. Effects of the C. Zeylanica root extracts on formalin-induced pain in mice Material Control Alcoholic extract Dose (mg/kg) 100 200 400 100 Water extract Morphine 200 400 10 05 min 89.04.18 69.43.57 65.23.34* 63.12.87* 84.41.09 70.03.80 67.32.30* 57.82.95** Inhibition (%) 0 22.03 26.75 29.1 5.17 21.35 24.38 35.06 1530 min 83.43.20 31.42.60* 24.22.16* 22.463.26** 48.23.19 38.62.60* 34.42.30* 12.21.30** Inhibition (%) 0 62.36 70.99 73.07 42.21 53.72 58.57 85.38

Note: Values are meanS.D. *P<0.05, **P<0.01; significantly different from control; n=6.

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Table 5. Anti-inflammatory effect of C. zeylanica root on carrageenan-induced paw edema in rat Material Dose (mg/kg) 30 min. Control Alcoholic extract 100 200 400 100 Water extract Diclofenac-Na 200 400 13.5 0.230.22 0.220.18 0.190.22* 0.170.24* 0.220.14 0.200.24 0.180.34* 0.150.02 Increase in paw volume (mL) 60 min. 0.360.01 0.300.08 0.220.01* 0.200.11* 0.320.04 0.240.03 0.270.12* 0.180.03** 90 min. 0.660.03 0.490.06 0.410.03* 0.360.04** 0.540.05 0.450.02* 0.370.06* 0.370.06** 120 min. 0.790.02 0.690.20 0.600.02 0.460.12* 0.710.21 0.620.07 0.490.03 0.280.06

Note: Values are meanS.D. *P<0.05, **P<0.01; significantly different from control; n=6.

3.4.2 Cotton pellet granuloma model (Sub-acute anti-inflammatory model) The rats were treated with the oral administration of the extract of Capparis zeylanica that significantly reduced ( P <0.05) the granuloma mass formation when compared to control. The rats exhibited 12.12, 25.48 and 45.48% inhibition in granuloma mass formation after 7 days treatment with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the alcoholic extract when compared with control where as 11.45, 22.97 and 34.80% inhibition was observed in water extract.

However both the extracts exhibited dose dependent anti-inflammatory activity but alcoholic extract (400 mg/kg body weight) show better result than the water extract (400 mg/kg body weight) (Table 6). 3.4.3 Antipyretic effects The alcohol extract (400 mg/kg) of C. zeylanica root showing significant (P<0.05) effect on pyrexia induced by yeast while in water extract (400 mg/kg) no significant (P<0.05) reversal of yeast-induced fever was observed (Table 7).

Table 6. Anti-inflammatory effect of C. zeylanica root on cotton pillet granuloma model in rat Material Control Alcoholic extract Dose (mg/kg) 100 200 400 100 Water extract Diclofenac-Na 200 400 13.5 Wt. of cotton pillet (mg) Before 20.160.20 20.210.87 20.190.61 20.140.81 20.200.46 20.180.56 20.170.67 20.140.52 After 100.411.81 90.731.91 80.011.58* 63.711.99** 91.261.35 82.001.38* 65.621.24** 50.411.08** Wt. of granuloma (mg) 80.251.49 70.521.32 59.821.67 43.751.38 71.061.38 61.821.24 45.451.44 30.272.14 Inhibition (%) 0 12.12 25.48 45.48 11.45 22.97 34.8 49.98

Note: Values are meanS.D. *P<0.05, **P<0.01; significantly different from control; n=6.

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Table 7. Effects of the C. zeylanica root extracts on brewers yeast-induced pyrexia in rats Material Control Alcoholic extract Dose (mg/kg) 100 200 400 100 Water extract Acetylsalicylic 200 400 100 Average rectal temperature (C) Pre-experiment 37.710.41 37.680.39 38.040.33 37.350.61 38.220.27 37.320.63 36.710.42 37.370.16 0 hr 37.850.44 37.250.27 38.120.28 37.240.33 38.250.75 37.450.40 36.750.46 37.110.08* 1 hr 37.580.58 37.110.37 37.260.81* 37.100.24* 37.960.81 37.180.58 36.560.37* 35.000.32** 2 hr 37.200.34 36.560.72 36.800.75* 36.120.45 37.600.24 37.020.37 36.460.67 36.650.48* 3 hr 37.500.91 36.550.52 36.160.68* 36.370.52* 37.650.44 36.750.59 36.370.76 36.520.25*

Note: Values are meanS.D.*P<0.05, **P<0.01; significantly different from control; n=6.

4. Discussion
During preliminary phytochemical screening of the crude extract, important therapeutic principles like alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, phenols etc. were detected. The anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of many plants have been attributed to their saponin, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols and steroids contents [23]. Thepresenceoftannins, phytosterols, alkaloids, triterpenoids present in the roots of Capparis zeylanica may be responsible for the antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. Several tests (acute and chronic) were employed in evaluating the analgesic effect of the alcoholic and water extracts of C. zeylanica. It is necessary to apply tests which differ with respect to stimulus quality, intensity and duration, to obtain as complete a picture as possible of the analgesic properties of a substance using behavioral nociceptive tests [24]. The results obtained indicate that the extracts possess a moderate dose-dependent analgesic effect on the various pain models used. A potent inhibitory effect was exerted by both the extracts on the mouse writhing assay (a test useful for evaluating mild analgesic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents). This suggests that the analgesic effect of the extract may be peripherally mediated. The extracts also had a significant effect in the tail-immersion

tests. Centrally acting analgesic drugs elevate pain threshold of animals towards heat and pressure. The effect of the extract on this pain models indicates that it might be centrally acting. The extracts inhibited both phases of the formalin-induced pain with a more potent effect on the second than the first phase. The formalin pain test is very useful for evaluating the mechanism of pain and analgesia. Drugs which acts mainly centrally, such as narcotic analgesics, inhibits both phases of pain in this model while peripherally acting drugs, such as acetylsalicylic acid or indomethacin, only inhibit the late phase [25]. The alcohol extract (400 mg/kg) of C. zeylanica was showing significant effect on brewers yeast-induced fever in rat; however in water extract (400 mg/kg) no significant reversal of yeast-induced pyrexia was observed. The result of the present investigation reveals that the roots of Capparis zeylanica possesss a moderate anti-inflammatory affect that was evidenced by the significant reduction in paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma methods. Carrageenan is reported to induce acute inflammation and is believed to be biphasic [26]. Carrageenan induced paw edema model in rats is known to be sensitive to cyclo-oxygenase (COX) inhibitors and has been used to evaluate the effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents against which primarily inhibits the enzyme COX involved in prostaglandin synthesis, the result of alcoholic

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extract can be explained on this basis. The extracts also significantly reduce the granuloma formation in rats. It has been reported that the second phase of edema is sensitive to most clinically effective anti-inflammatory drugs, which has frequently to access the anti-edematous effect of natural products [27]. The results obtained in this study indicate that the extracts possess analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. It seems to provide a rationale for the traditional use of this plant in pain, inflammation and pyrexia disorders.

5 Conclusion
Hence the present study substantiates the use of this plant root for the treatment of fever and pain. Further study is need on Capparis zeylanica root to find the exact mechanism of action for its antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Our current findings demonstrated scientific rationale for the folk use of the plant as antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Based on the result of the present study it can be concluded that the ethanolic and aqueous extract of Capparis zeylanica may act as potentialanti-pyretic, analgesic and antiinflammatory agent.

Acknowledgements
I thank to the Botany Department, BHU, Varanasi for the authentication of plant specimen. The facilities provided by the Institute of Technology, Department of Pharmaceutics, BHU, Varanasi during this course of study are gratefully acknowledged.

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