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Abstract

The ethanolic extract of the dried aerial parts of Mucuna pruriens Linn. (Fabaceae) was investigated for its possible anti-inflammatory, diuretic and antibacterial activities in animal models. Anti-inflammatory activity was tested using carrageenin induced rat paw edema model and cotton pellet implantation method in rat. Diuretic activity was measured by the comparison of control group, standard drug group (furosemide) at a dose of 0.5 mg kg-1 and the sample extracts 200 and 400 mg kg-1, respectively. The antibacterial property was studied by the disc diffusion method using extract 200 mg disc-1. The extracts significantly (p<0.001) reduced carrageenin induced paw edema in rats. Cotton pellet implantation model for antiinflammatory activity, the extract showed a significant reduction in the weight of the cotton pellet in test animal compared to control (p<0.001). At the doses of 200 and 400 mg kg-1, the extract exhibited 24.59 and 33.41% reduction of the weight of the cotton pellets. Diuretic activity was proved by the electrolyte loss ratio (Na+/K+ excretion ratio was 1.48 and 1.45 at the doses of 200 and 400 mg kg-1, respectively) as that of the standard diuretic furosemide (1.47). The extracts also showed the antibacterial activity against eight species of bacteria. The results obtained shows that the extracts of Mucuna pruriens Linn. has anti-inflammatory, diuretic and antibacterial properties. This finding provides a basis for the traditional use of the plant material.