Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Property of Muntingia calabura Using Carrageenan-Induced Rat Paw Edema Model

Inflammation is a fundamental physiological process, crucial for the body's defence mechanisms, but when uncontrolled, it can contribute to various pathological conditions such as arthritis. The treatment for inflammation is usually done with NSAIDs. However, these drugs inhibit various short-term and long-term side effects such as indigestion, stomach ulcers, kidney and liver problems. So, there is a need for an alternative which have fewer and no side effects along with efficacy. Muntingia calabura is a muti-therapeutic plant having effective anti-inflammatory properties. This investigation focuses on determining the efficacy of Muntingia calabura, for mitigating acute inflammation. Ethanolic extracts of M. calabura leaves were prepared and administered to both male and female Wistar rats in three different concentrations and acute inflammation was induced by injecting 1% carrageenan in the hind paw of the Wistar rats after 30 minutes of administering the extract orally. Paw volume was measured at 1, 2, 3 and 4-hour intervals. Results indicated that all the doses of extract produced a significant reduction in paw edema compared to the positive group. The percentage of inhibition was dose-dependent and the peak inhibition was observed on the 3rd hour. In conclusion, M. calabura exhibits promising potential as a natural anti-inflammatory agent.