Abstract

AN EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION ON ‘SOTHAGHNA’ (ANTIINFLAMMATORY) KARMA OF BAKULA TWAK (MIMUSOPS ELENGI LINN.) IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

*Dr. Deepak J. Nair, Dr. Nisha Shamsudeen and Dr. Deepa J. G.

Abstract

Background: Sotha is the an important sign among the diverse ailments that are mentioned in Ayurveda texts and can be understood as inflammatory swelling. Although many medicinal plants are used to treat sotha conditions, there is a need for a potent sothaghna drug having properties like safe in long term use and easy availability. Bakula (Mimusops elengi Linn.) is a drug described in Ayurveda texts having anti-inflammatory effect. Keeping all the above-mentioned points in view, the present study was done to evaluate the efficacy of Bakula bark decoction in inflammatory swellings. Objectives: The main objectives of the study was to study Bakula twak (Mimusops elengi Linn.) pharmacognostically, analytically and thereby experimentally evaluating the sothaghna (anti-inflammatory) action of the drug. Methods: Ayurvedic and modern textbooks were screened for the literary research regarding the disease sotha, inflammation and drug Bakula (Mimusops elengi Linn.) Pharmacognostical and Analytical study of Bakula twak were done. Efficacy of the drug was evolved experimentally. The carrageenan induced hind paw oedema method was adopted for experimental study. Wistar albino rats were grouped in to three groups of 6 rats. For control group distilled water was given. For standard group Diclofenac sodium as solution was given. And for test group Bakula twak kwatha was given. The reading of paw oedema volume was noted and recorded for successive 24 hours. The results were then analysed statistically. Results: Phytochemical study of Bakula showed the presence of alkaloids, tannin, flavonoids and terpenoids. This may substantiate the anti-inflammatory action of Bakula. After experimental study, test group i.e. Bakula twak kwatha showed statistically significant anti-inflammatory effect compared to control group and standard group. Conclusion: Bakula twak as mentioned in Ayurveda medical texts has showed beneficial sothaghna action by reducing the inflammatory symptoms within stipulated time.

Keywords: Bakula, Mimusops elengi Linn., Anti-inflammatory, Wistar albino rats, Sothaghna, Ayurveda.