2.2.3. Anti-inflammatory Activity
Anti-inflammatory effect of the alcoholic extract (70%) of Pteranthus dichotomus was studied
[13]. 20 rats were divided into 4 equal groups. The thickness of the left hind paw of each rat was
measured in mm. The 1st group was kept as a control while the 2nd was subcutaneously injected with
diclofenac sodium in a dose of 5 mg/kg b.wt. The 3rd and 4th groups were orally administered the
tested extracts in doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg b.wt, respectively. After 30 min of extracts
administration, inflammation was induced by subcutaneous injection of 0.1 ml of 6% formalin in
normal saline into the left hind paw. The paw thickness was measured hourly for a period of 4 h. and
the magnitude of the paw swelling in the treated animals compared with that of the control.