Effect of white mulberry leaves hydro-alcoholic extract on carrageenan-induced inflammation in male rat's hind paw

Reviews of literature indicate that hydro- alcoholic extract of white mulberry leaves, possesses anti-inflammatory effects such as inhibition of nitric oxide, PGE2 and cytokines, which urged us to examine the anti-inflammatory effect of this leaves hydro-alholic extract on carrageenan- induced paw edema in rat. Hydroalcoholic extract of white mulberry (Morus alba) leaves was prepared by ethanol (70% V/V) and soxhlet's method. The rats grouped as: Intraperitoneal (ip) extract receiving (200, 400, 600 mg/kg), positive control (aspirin 300 mg/kg) and group that received saline.Thirty minutes following the ip injection of materials, carrageenan (1% W/V) was injected into the rat's hind paw and the changes in rat's paw edema was assessed by plethysmometer for five hours at intervals of one hour. Compared with aspirin, 200 and 400 mg/kg doses of extract had lower effect on reduction of rat's paw edema (P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the group that received 600 mg/kg extract and aspirin group. Hydro-alcoholic extract of Morus alba leaves at 600 mg/kg dose similar to aspirin (300 mg/kg), significantly reduced the paw edema of rats and showed effective anti-inflammatory activity.