OBJECTIVETo assess the in-vitro antibacterial activity and anti-inflammatory activity of orally administered different extracts (Hydro-alcoholic, methanolic, ethyl acetate and hexane) of Rauvolfia tetraphylla (R. tetraphylla) root bark in Carrageenan induced acute inflammation in rats.

METHODSIn-vitro antibacterial activity was evaluated for extracts against four Gram positive and four Gram negative bacteria by using cylinder plate assay. Hydro-alcoholic extract (70% v/v ethanol) at 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg doses and methanolic, ethyl acetate and hexane extracts at doses 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg were tested for anti-inflammatory activity in Carrageenan induced rat paw oedema model and paw thickness was measured every one hour up to 6 hrs.

RESULTSAll extracts of R. tetraphylla root bark showed good zone of inhibition against tested bacterial strains. In Carrageenan induced inflammation model, hydro-alcoholic and methanolic extract of R. tetraphylla root bark at three different doses produced significant (P<0.001) reduction when compared to vehicle treated control group and hexane, ethyl acetate extracts.

CONCLUSIONSIn the present study extracts of R. tetraphylla root bark shows good in-vitro antibacterial activity and in-vivo anti-inflammatory activity in rats.

Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; Carrageenan ; adverse effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Edema ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Female ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rauwolfia ; chemistry