TO STUDY THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF LEAVES OF IMPATIENS BALSAMINA IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMAL MODELS

The present study was undertaken to study the anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous extract of Impatiens balsamina leaves in suitable animal models. The leaves of Impatiens balsamina were extracted with distilled water using the Soxhlet apparatus. The extract thus obtained was screened for anti-inflammatory activity using Cotton pellet implantation method, Granuloma pouch method, and formaldehyde arthritis method in albino rats. The aqueous extract of the plant produced significant inhibition of granuloma formation, significant inhibition of exudate formation and significantly inhibited rat paw oedema induced by formaldehyde as compared to respective controls in albino rats (p<0.05-0.001). The aqueous extract of the plant produced significant inhibition of granuloma formation 18.79% (p<0.01%), 29.13% (p<0.001%) and 44.83% (p<0.001%) at concentrations of 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg respectively. The aqueous extract produced 36.34%, (p<0.01), 50% (p<0.001%) and 68.3% (p<0.001%) inhibition of exudate formation at 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg respectively. The aqueous extract also significantly inhibited rat paw oedema induced by formaldehyde (p<0.05 -0.001). However, the extract was found to be less effective than the standard drug. The study demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous extract of Impatiens balsamina leaves.