Evaluation of an ethnomedicinal combination containing Semecarpus kurzii and Hernandia peltata used for the management of inflammation

AbstractContext: Scientific validation of an ethnomedicinal combination consisting of Semecarpus kurzii Engler (Anacardeaceae) leaves (SKL) and Hernandia peltata Meisn (Hernandeaceae) stem-bark (HPB), traditionally used in ailments related to inflammation, pain and fever.Objective: To validate in vivo and in vitro analgesic and antiinflammatory activities of methanol extract of SKL, HPB and their combination.Materials and methods: Analgesic activity was tested by acetic acid induced writhing reflex and tail flick in Swiss albino mice, while the anti-inflammatory activity was studied in acute, subacute and chronic model on Wistar rats. The vascular permeability, membrane stabilization and protein denaturation were examined to know the possible mode of action.Results: Significant (p < 0.01) analgesic (78.04% inhibition of writhing) and antiinflammatory (72.54% inhibition of paw edema) activity was observed in combination of SKL and HPB extracts at 250 mg/kg each. The SKL extract alone inhibits acetic acid-i...