The leaves of Grewia tiliaefolia vahl. (Tiliaceae) have been used in vitiated conditions of pitta, kapha and burning
sensation. It is one of such plants used in skin diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases,
diarrhoea and pruritis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory
activity of an aqueous leaf extract of Grewia tiliaefolia (GT) in rodents using carrageenan, histamine and serotonin induced paw edema, prostaglandin
inhibitory activity by castor oil induced diarrhoea, acetic acid induced capillary
permeability, cotton pellet granuloma and sodium CMC induced leukocytes emigration
tests. Results showed a dose dependent anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan,
histamine and serotonin induced paw edema at the dose of 250 and 500mg/kg. It also
showed dose dependent prostaglandin inhibitory activity by preventing castor oil induced
diarrhoea. The extract also exhibited dose dependent inhibition of vascular permeability
induced by acetic acid; however it did not show any significant effect on growth of
granuloma tissue. It also significantly reduced leukocyte counts at the dose of 500mg/kg.
Phytochemical studies indicated the presence of tannins, phenolics and flavonoids.
These findings suggest that the leaves of Grewia tiliaefolia possess anti-inflammatory activity in acute and subacute phase of inflammation, which
may result from inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, inhibition of inflammatory
mediators, inhibition of increased vascular permeability and inhibition of leukocyte
emigration into inflamed tissues.
