Inflammation is protective and defense mechanism of the
body and thus, during inflammation various pathological
changes take place. The production of active inflammatory
mediators is triggered by microbial products or by host
proteins, such as proteins of the complement, kinins, and
coagulation systems that are activated by damaged tissues.
In preclinical studies, these changes can be induced by
administration of the agents causing inflammation. For
purpose of evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity, we will
discuss some in vivo animal models commonly used in
laboratory practice. Numerous reports have been demonstrated
in increased incidence of inflammatory condition
in lifestyle diseases like diabetes, as inflammation is one of
the most important natural defence mechanisms. Its main
purpose is to destroy the injurious agent and/or minimize its
effects. Though inflammation is normally protective but, if
untreated, it can go for chronic condition leading to serious
complications. Inflammation is the dynamic pathological
process consisting of a series of interdependent changes.
Inflammation is body’s response to disturbed homeostasis
caused by infection, injury, trauma, and several other reasons
resulting in systemic and local effects. The Roman writer
Celsus in 1st century AD identified the four Cardinal Signs
of inflammation as redness (Rubor), swelling or edema
(Tumor), heat (Calor), and pain (Dolor). Inflammation
constitutes the body’s response to injury and is characterized
by a series of events including the inflammatory reaction, a
sensory response perceived as pain, and a repair process. The
main causes of inflammatory reaction are infection (invasion
and multiplication within tissues by bacteria, fungi, viruses,
protozoa causing damage to the host cells), trauma penetrating
injury, blunt trauma, thermal injury, chemical injury, and
immunologically mediated injury (humoral or cellular), and
as a result of the loss of blood supply (ischemia) .