Abstract This study shows the in vitro anti-inflammatory effect of leaf extracts of Polyalthia longifolia. These were analyzed in different assays to determine their anti-inflammatory effects. Protein denaturation and RBC membrane stabilization were assayed. The results were reported as % inhibition in triplicate determination and were subjected to statistical also diclofenac sodium and Aspirin were used as standards. The result of the % inhibition of protein denaturation showed that at 1mg/ml diclofenac, ethanolic extract, fresh leaf aqueous extract and dry leaf aqueous extract of Polyalthia longifolia inhibited 15.03 ± 1.09, 20.47 ± 2.75, 17.01 ± 0.49, 12.56 ± 2.90 respectively and at 9 mg/ml diclofenac, ethanolic extract, fresh leaf aqueous extract and dry leaf aqueous extract of Polyalthia longifolia inhibited 69.49±3.19, 56.74±0.99, 55.57±0.22, 35.59±3.39 respectively. The result of % inhibition heat induced hemolysis showed that at 1mg/ml aspirin, ethanolic extract, fresh leaf aqueous extract and dry leaf aqueous extract of Polyalthia longifolia inhibited 18.78±3.10, 7.84±3.10, 25.39±3.22, 14.44±4.16 respectively. From the above results it is obvious that the extracts of Polyalthia longifolia showed greater anti-inflammatory effects.
Keywords Polyalthia longifolia, anti-inflammatory.