Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Cow Urine Betel Vine Extract in Rats

N.B. Sridharamurthy, M.N. Manasa ,B.A. Sowmya

Piper betel (Betel vine) is a Vedic plant, which is using as a remedy for various diseases. In Ayurveda betel leaf extract was frequently used as an adjuvant and mixed with different medicines possibly for better effects beside its independent use as medicine. In addition to this, the aphrodisiac effect of it has been indicated in ancient texts. It is also believed to provide strength to the heart and regulate blood flow to the heart. Its utility as anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial is emphasized in several ancient books. According to Ayurveda it also helps in expelling the mucus from the respiratory tract. In Unani system of medicine it is described to improve taste and apetite, tonic to brain, heart and liver, lessens thirst, clears throat and purifies blood. Cow urine is believed to have therapeutic value and used in many drug formulations. Essentially, cow urine is used as disinfectant and for purification. With an approximate shelf life of around 5 years, this has proved to be the most effective natural antiseptic and disinfectant, when compared to the synthetic chemicals which are currently available to the consumers. Thus, it strengthens the fact that cow’s urine is not a toxic effluent as 95% of its content being water, 2.5% urea and the remaining 2.5%, a mixture of minerals, salts, hormones and enzymes. In the rural villages in India, cow’s urine is being used since a very long time as an effective antiseptic for wounds, skin diseases, bathing, etc. Fresh leaves of the Piper betel (Betel vine) were collected from the nearest plantation and leaves were authenticated, shade dried and powdered to get moderate coarse powder. The dry powder was then extracted with cow urine at 40-450C by maceration process for 72 hrs. Later the cow urine extract was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated to a semi solid mass by using vacuum distillation apparatus. The extract so obtained was used for the phytochemical and pharmacological investigations. In the present study, oral administration of the Cow urine Betel vine extract at the doses of 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg significantly inhibits paw edema and the results were compared with Standard Diclofenac (5mg/kg) treated group.