effects of methanol extract of piper chaba stem bark on chronic inflammation in rats

Piper chaba Hunter (Piperaceae), a climbing glabrous shrub grows in plenty in southern Bangladesh. Popularly known as ‘Choi’ it is used as spices and believed to have medicinal value in a wide variety of disease conditions including arthritis, asthma, bronchitis and piles. Earlier studies on methanol extract of Piper chaba stem bark have reported anti-inflammatory activities against acute inflammation. In the present study, effect of methanol extract of Piper chaba stem bark on chronic inflammation has been reported. The anti-inflammatory effect was studied in rats using cotton pellet implantation method, where granuloma formation was used as an index of chronic inflammation. Methanol extracts of Piper chaba stem bark given orally for 14 days daily at doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg body weight produced statistically significant (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) anti-inflammatory effect compared to control. The percent inhibition of granuloma formation was 25% and 28% respectively, which however was less compared to aspirin (41%) and hydrocortisone (58%). The results suggest that in case of chronic inflammation, Piper chaba stem bark possess mild to moderate anti-inflammatory effect compared to that of aspirin and hydrocortisone. Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2008; 2(2): 37-39