Abstract:
Enhydra fluctuans (Compositae), an edible semi aquatic herbaceous vegetable plant, widely used in traditional
system of Indian medicine. Total flavonoids of E. fluctuans (TFEF) were screened for analgesic and antiinflammatory activity. Analgesic activity was studied in acetic acid induced writhing response and by hot plate method in Swiss albino mice. Anti-inflammatory activity was estimated by carrageenan and histamine induced acute inflammation and Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA) induced chronic inflammation in rats. Two
flavonoids, baicalein 7-O-glucoside and baicalein 7-O-diglucoside, were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction.
Oral administration of TFEF at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg provide 27.05 and 55.49% protection
respectively in acetic acid induced writhing method. It also increased the pain threshold in mice evidenced by
hot plate method. TFEF showed more potent anti-inflammatory activity. The results of this study may be
attributed to high free radical scavenging and antioxidant potential of the flavonoids present in ethyl acetate
fraction of Enhydra fluctuans.
