EVALUATION OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF HYDRO-ALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF Delonix regia FLOWER ON INFLAMMATION INDUCED CHICKS

Veeranan M.*¹, Natarajan P., Vigneswaran R., Ganesh H., Ponnudurai K.

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the hydro-alcoholic extract of Delonix regia flowers using carrageenan-induced paw edema in chicks. Materials and Methods: Flowers of Delonix regia were collected, shade-dried, powdered, and extracted using 70% ethanol through Soxhlet extraction. The hydro-alcoholic extract underwent phytochemical screening and FT-IR analysis, which confirmed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, tannins, terpenoids, and glycosides. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed in chicks divided into four groups: control, standard (Indomethacin 25 mg/kg), and two test groups receiving extract at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg. Carrageenan-induced paw edema was measured at 1–4 hours using a digital Vernier caliper. Results and Discussion: Phytochemical analysis revealed bioactive constituents with known anti-inflammatory potential. FT-IR spectra confirmed functional groups such as alcohols, ketones, and ethers. The extract produced a significant reduction in paw edema in a dose-dependent manner, with the 400 mg/kg group showing a more pronounced effect compared to 200 mg/kg. The activity was comparable to Indomethacin. Effects may be attributed to the synergistic action of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and tannins. Conclusion: The hydro-alcoholic extract of Delonix regia flowers exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced inflammation in chicks, supporting its traditional use and potential as a natural therapeutic alternative.