Evaluation and comparative in vitro and in vivo analysis of anti-inflammatory potential of Ocimum sanctum extracts from tropical and alpine regions of nepal

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the anti-inflammatory efficacy of Ocimum sanctum (OS) (Tulsi) extracts obtained from two different regions; Butwal (tropical) and Gorkha (alpine) of Nepal. The anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts were determined in vitro using heat-induced albumin denaturation assay and in vivo by using formalin-induced rat paw edema model. In both of these experiments, commercial anti-inflammatory drug, indomethacin, was utilized to justify the results. The extracts from both the regions were effective in inhibition of heat-induced albumin denaturation (HIAD) and attenuation of formalin-induced rat paw edema development. Notably, the extract from alpine Gorkha region was more potent in reduction of HIAD and edema development in rats injected with formalin in their paws, suggesting that OS from alpine regions could have greater contents of constituents mediating the anti-inflammatory actions of OS. The present data may provide the scientific basis for the traditional use of OS and suggests that OS from alpine regions could be studied for design and development of anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents. Further research is required to address the mechanisms and difference in contents of OS between the two regions of Nepal to elicit anti-inflammatory actions.