Effect of ethanolic extract of Premna corymbosa (Burm. f.) Rottl. & Willd. leaves in complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in Wistar albino rats.

Premna corymbosa (Burm.f.) Rottl. & Willd. (Verbenaceae) is a small tree used in traditional medicine for rheumatic disorders and it is the one of the ingredient in many ayurvedic preparations available in the market for inflammatory disorder uses. The aim of this work was to evaluate the acute toxicity and anti-arthritic activity of P. corymbosa ethanolic extract (PCEE) in experimental animals. In the acute toxicity study, a single dose of PCEE, 2000 mg kg(-1) body weight p.o., was administered. The animals observed for 48 h showed no clinical signs, no mortality, and the extract was found to be safe. To evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of PCEE in Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in rats were conducted. The results indicated that the long-term treatment significantly (p < .01) suppressed the development of chronic arthritis induced by CFA. This study established the anti-arthritic activity of P. corymbosa leaves.