Abstract
In this study we evaluated the antiinflammatory and anti-granuloma activity of standardized Terminalia chebula hydroalcoholic extract (TCHE) in experimental models. Adult male Wistar rats from our institutional breeding stock were used in this study. TCHE was orally administered to three groups of animals at 20mg/, 40mg/ and 80mg/kg, respectively. Indomethacin (3mg/kg) was used as the reference drug. TCHE and indomethacin was suspended in 1% gum acacia and administered by gavage, according to treatment protocols for different models. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by using the carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. The effect on macrophages was studied by using subcutaneous cotton pellet implantation-induced granuloma formation and stimulation of peritoneal macrophages “sing complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in Wistar rats. Circulating TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1beta levels and macrophage expression of TNF-R1 was evaluated as marker of global inflammation. Although there was a decrease in paw edema in all TCHE treated groups, significant reduction (p<0.05) against control was only observed in the highest dose treated group, 3 h post carrageenan administration. In the cotton pellet-induced granuloma model, there was a significant reduction (p<0.05) in dry granuloma weight and circulating TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-1beta levels in the TCHE (80mg/kg) treated group as compared to control. Immunoblot analysis for TNF-R1 expression in CFA-stimulated peritoneal macrophages also demonstrated a significant reduction (p<0.05) in receptor protein expression after TCHE treatment. Result of the present study thus demonstrates the anti-granuloma activity of TCHE in experimental models.