Capparis decidua Edgew. belonging to the family Capparidaceae is a bushy shrub or small tree growing throughout the dry
areas of India and other parts of the world. It is commonly known as Kair. Various parts of the plant are used traditionally
in rheumatism, arthritis, gout and other inflammatory disorders. Therefore the present study was aimed at evaluation of antiinflammatory
activity of the stems of the plant. Three extracts, viz. aqueous extract, alcoholic extract and hydro-alcoholic
extract of the stem (at a dose of 500 mg/kg) were studied for anti-inflammatory activity by using carrageenan-induced rat
paw edema model. The percentage inhibition of edema was calculated and compared with Indomethacine as a standard drug.
Results revealed that all the extracts show significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, the aqueous extract
exhibiting the highest anti-inflammatory activity as compared to other extracts. The present investigation supports the
traditional use of the plant in inflammatory diseases.
Key words: Capparis decidua, Capparidaceae, anti-inflammatory, carrageenan
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