Grewia asiatica :A potent anti-inflammatory herb
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A large number of plants are being increasingly used in the treatment of pain and inflammatory
conditions. The preference to the herbal agents is more compared to conventional non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) because NSAIDs administration is associated with the risk of producing
adverse effects such as gastric ulceration, thrombocytopenia, skin rashes. Plant based medicines are
widely used in Ayurvedic system of medicine as Vedana śāmaka or śothahara.
Grewia asiatica Linn. (Family: Tiliaceae), Phalsa (फालसा) in Hindi is cultivated on a commercial scale mainly
in the Northern and Western states of India used for a variety of therapeutic and nutritional uses. It is
known for its medicinal properties and the fruit possesses astringent, cooling and stomachic properties.
It is reported that unripe Phalsa fruit alleviates inflammation and is administered in respiratory, cardiac
and blood disorders. The fruits are also documented to have antimalarial and anti-ulcer effect. The leaves
are applied on pustular skin eruptions and they are known to have antibiotic action. The root bark of the
plant is traditionally used in rheumatism (painful chronic inflammatory condition). The infusion of the bark
is given as a demulcent, febrifuge and is also used in the treatment of diarrhoea.
This study demonstrated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of root bark of Falsa (फालसा) in
rodents.The methanolic and aqueous extract of the bark of Falsa (फालसा) were prepared and subjected to
phytochemical tests and pharmacological screening for analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect in rodents.
Analgesic effect was studied using acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and hot plate analgesia in rats
while anti-inflammatory activity was investigated using carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats. Dose of
Falsa was administered orally in doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg/day of body weight.
The extracts showed a significant inhibition of writhing response and increase in hot plate reaction time
and also caused a decrease in paw oedema. The effects were comparable with the standard drugs used.
The present study indicated that root bark of FALSA (फालसा) exhibits peripheral and central analgesic
effect and anti-inflammatory activity, which may be attributed to the various phytochemicals present
in root bark of Falsa (फालसा).This study substantiates the traditional use of bark of Falsa (फालसा) in
rheumatism.
THIS STUDY CONCLUDED THAT THE ROOT BARK OF FALSA (फालसा) HAS POTENTIAL ANALGESIC
AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY.
This research was conducted by researchers of Vinayaka Mission’s College of Pharmacy, Salem, Tamil
Nadu & National Research Institute for Ayurveda-Siddha Human Resource Development, Gwalior,
Madhya Pradesh, India.
(Source- Ancient Science of Life)
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