In vitro and In vivo Anti-inflammatory Activities of Coptosapelta flavescens Korth Root’s Methanol Extract

Abstract

Coptosapelta flavescens Korth is a liana plant of the Rubiaceae family known in East Kalimantan as Akar Tambolekar or Akar Merung. Its anti-inflammatory activity has not been scientifically proven in vitro or in vivo. The current study aimed to prove the anti-inflammatory activity of C. flavescens root (CFR) methanol extract in vitro and in vivo. The anti-inflammatory activity of CFR methanol extract was evaluated in vitro by examining its ability to stabilize the membrane of hypotonicity-induced red blood cells (RBC), and in vivo study showed the effect on carrageenan induced inflammation on the left leg of Wistar rats following its oral administration at 1 hour before, during, and after carrageenan induction. Result of in vitro study revealed that the EC50 of CFR methanol extract was 1.905 ± 0.119 mg/ml, lower than that of indomethacin (10.288 ± 0.212 mg/ml). In vivo study showed that CFR methanol extract at doses of 600 and 1200 mg/kg administered 1 hour before and during carrageenan induction exhibited antiinflammatory activity, but only the CFR methanol extract showed anti-inflammatory activity at a dose of 1200 mg/kg when administered 1 hour after carrageenan induction. CFR methanol extract exhibited anti-inflammatory activity both in vitro and in vivo. Key words: anti-inflammatory, carrageenan, Coptosapelta flavescens Korth, membrane stability.