Planta Med 2008; 74 - PA41
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1084039

Potent inhibition of Prostaglandin D2 induced inflammation by Hibiscus rosa-sinensis crude extract

M Nazrul Somchit 1, A Zuraini 2, WP Tan 1, MS Cheema 1
  • 1Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit
  • 2Physiology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, MALAYSIA

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis or „bunga raya“ is the national flower of Malaysia. This flower is found in abundance throughout the country. The aim of this study was to assess the anti-inflammatory properties of leaves from Hibiscus.

Leaves from Hibiscus were oven dried for 24 hrs and powdered before extraction using water. The resultant extract was then dried using a freeze dryer. The extract was kept frozen prior to use.

Male Sprague Dawley rats (n=36) were divided into six treatment group. Control group consists of positive and negative control. The positive control was given prostaglandin D2 (100 IU) to induce inflammation and negative control was given saline (0.9%) intra-plantar (into the foot). Group 3, 4 and 5 received 25, 50 and 100mg/kg extract intraperitoneally respectively after the administration of prostaglandin D2. The last group was given 50mg/kg Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) mefenamic acid (Ponstan) ip after the administration of prostaglandin D2. Results revealed significant different statistically (p<0.01) at 6 hour where the paw volume was maximum in positive control rats and it was exhibited a dose-dependant inhibition. The result from 50mg/kg Hibiscus extract was statistically similar to the control drug mefenamic acid. Interestingly, the 100mg/kg extract group showed higher inhibition than the control drug.

The findings revealed that Hibiscus rosa-sinensis has anti-inflammatory properties which were similar in potency when compared to the commonly used NSAID mefenamic acid. Therefore, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis has potential for pharmacological use in modern medicine.