Anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous/ethanol and methanol extracts of Perna viridis Linn. in mice.

Anti-inflammatory effect of the edible mytilid bivalve Perna viridis was evaluated using formalin, carrageenan and dextran-induced paw oedema in mice. The whole mussel tissue without shell was first extracted with ethyl acetate and then successively with methanol and water:ethanol, 7:3 (aqueous/ethanol). Three doses (100, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg) of the extracts (methanol and aqueous/ethanol) were administered orally prior to the injection of inflammatory agents. The inflammation induced by formalin was inhibited by the administration of both extracts for 7 days and the activity was found to be higher for methanol than aqueous/ethanol extract. A dose-dependent reduction in paw thickness was observed for carrageenan-induced paw oedema on treatment with methanol and aqueous/ethanol extracts which was comparable to the standard drug diclofenac. The effect of extracts on dextran-induced oedema was less than that produced by the other two inflammatory stimulants.