Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of ethanolic extract and its various fractions from Adiantum capillus veneris Linn

To investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of the crude ethanolic extract of Adiantum capillus veneris Linn. (Adiantaceae) and its various fractions. The ethanolic extract and its fractions were given at a dose of 200mg/kg po and 300mg/kg po for testing their anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan induced hind paw edema. The analgesic activity of the ethanolic extract and its fractions has been carried out by tail-flick method and writhing test at a dosage of 300mg/kg po. Gastric ulceration studies have been further carried out to study the antiulcer effect of the ethanolic extract and its various fractions at dose of 900mg/kg body weight. Amongst the tested fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited better inhibition (67.27%) at 300mg/kg po dosage when compared to the standard drug Indomethacin (63.63%) after 3h in the carrageenan induced hind paw edema. The anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic extract and its various fractions appear to be related to the inhibition of NO release, and the decreasing TNF-α level. The ethanolic extract and all its fractions especially the ethyl acetate (p