Phil Aidan C. Cruz, Ben Joshua O. Porras (March 2014)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
The anti-inflammatory activity of ointments developed from 85% ethanolic extracts of Curcuma zedoaria Roscoe was assessed using a carrageenan-induced hind paw edema test in albino mice. Ointments composed of 1%, 5%, and 10% w/w extract in base ointment (1:1 ratio of lanolin anhydrous and petroleum jelly) were administered immediately after the injection of 0.07 ml. solution of 1% w/v x-carrageenan in saline (inflammagen), with control groups consisting of the ointment base for negative control, and 0.1% betamethasone valerateointment for positive control. Measurements of hind paw thickness were made every two hours up to the 8th hour of inflammation using a dial caliper. Paw edema was represented as the percentage of change in paw thickness over the initial paw thickness (percent inflammation) Using a digital pH meter, pH was also measured to determine suitability for skin application. The 10% w/w ointment was shown to have the lowest percent inflammation at all hours (most effective), followed by the 5%, positive control, 1%, and negative control. After two-way ANOVA and post-hoc analysis, there was found to be a significant difference in the percent inflammation of the 10% ointment to all other treatments. It was also found that the 5% ointment showed comparable effects to that of the commercial ointment (positive control). The pH was found to be within the tolerable range of skin pH (4.5-7), indicating safety for skin application. Further investigations on quality control in terms of viscosity, shelf life, toxicity, etc should be made before testing on human skin.