Vitex negundo Linn (VN) leaf extract as an adjuvant therapy to standard anti-inflammatory drugs.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Leaves of Vitex negundo (VN) have been investigated for their antiinflammatory activity in past, including its mechanism of action. However, nobody has evaluated its potential role as an adjuvant with standard anti-inflammatory therapy. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate interaction of ethanolic leaf extract of VN Linn with standard anti-inflammatory drugs in sub-effective doses per orally (PO) to evaluate its potential role as an adjuvant therapy. METHODS: Carrageenin induced hind paw oedema and cotton pellet granuloma test in albino rats were employed to study interaction of Vitex negundo (VN) leaf extract with standard antiinflammatory drugs in sub-effective doses per orally to evaluate its potential role as an adjuvant therapy. RESULTS: The sub-effective dose of VN potentiated anti-inflammatory activity of phenlbutazone and ibuprofen significantly in carrageenin induced hind paw oedema and cotton pellet granuloma models. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The potentiation of anti-inflammatory activities phenlbutazone and ibuprofen by VN indicates that it may be useful as an adjuvant therapy along with standard antiinflammatory drugs.