Studies on Bioactivity of the Root Extract of Plumbago zeylanica

The phosphate buffered saline extract of the roots of Plumbago zeylanica was investigated for anti-inflammatory activity. The extract stabilized red blood cells subjected to both heat and hypotonic induced lyses. The extract exhibited a biphasic response. The enzymatic activities of both alkaline and acid phosphatases were reduced, while adenosine triphosphatase activity was stimulated in the liver homogenates of formaldehyde induced arthrititic rats. A possible anti-inflammatory action of the extract of P. zeylanica is, therefore, speculated.