INTRODUCTION:

Myrica esculenta, commonly known as Bayberry or Kaiphal, is a member of the Myricaceae family and indigenous to various regions of Asia, particularly the Himalayan belt. It holds significant importance in traditional medicine systems owing to its diverse pharmacological properties¹.

The plant has been utilized for centuries by indigenous communities for its therapeutic benefits in treating various ailments. Pharmacognostical studies play a crucial role in the authentication and standardization of herbal medicines. It involves the systematic examination of morphological, microscopic, and macroscopic characteristics of plant materials to establish their identity and quality.

Furthermore, phytochemical screening helps in the identification and quantification of bioactive compounds present in medicinal plants, providing insights into their potential pharmacological activities^2-3. The traditional uses and therapeutic potential attributed to Myrica esculenta, there is a growing interest in conducting comprehensive pharmacognostical and phytochemical studies to validate its traditional claims and explore its medicinal properties further. Such studies will contribute to the development of evidence-based herbal medicines and more facilitate their integration into modern healthcare practices.

The findings of this study will contribute to the understanding the therapeutic potential of Myrica esculenta and pave the way for its utilization in development of novel phytopharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.

In conclusion, the pharmacognostical study and phytochemical screening of Myrica esculenta provide valuable information that can be utilized for development of evidence-based herbal medicines and promote the sustainable utilization of this plant species^2-3. This research endeavour bridges the gap between traditional wisdom and contemporary science, offering new opportunities for the integration of natural remedies into mainstream healthcare practices.

Figure 1. Myrica esculenta bark

Inflammation is a complex biological response to harmful stimuli, playing a crucial role in various pathological conditions. The search for effective anti-inflammatory agents from natural sources has gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential therapeutic benefits and fewer side effects as compared to synthetic drugs. Myrica esculenta, a plant species known for its traditional medicinal uses, has shown promising potential source of anti-inflammatory compounds. This study focuses on evaluating the anti-inflammatory activity of Myrica esculenta methanolic bark extract using a carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats. Carrageenan induced paw edema is a well-established acute inflammatory model widely used to assess the efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents. The research aims to investigate the potential of Myrica esculenta extract and its gel formulation in reducing inflammation, as measured by changes in paw thickness and volume over time. The study design incorporates a comprehensive approach, including phytochemical screening of the plant extract, randomized grouping of experimental animals, and systematic measurements of paw thickness and volume at various time points. By comparing the effects of Myrica esculenta extract and gel formulation against control groups, this research seeks to provide insights into the anti-inflammatory properties of this plant species and its potential applications in managing inflammatory conditions. Inflammation represents a localized response to tissue injury in living organisms. This process serves as a defensive mechanism to eliminate harmful stimuli. Multiple components of an allergic reaction may contribute to the resultant effects and tissue damage⁴. Edema, infiltration of immune cells and the accumulation of granulomas represent certain incen- diary components⁵. The reaction boosters and triggers at the hypersensitivity site can produce other medical effects. Throughout inflammation body produces higher levels of immune proteins tumor necrosis factor IL-6 and IL-1β^6-7. Many recent studies reveal the cellular and biochemical events of carrageenans that cause swelling in rat paws. Our research analyzed how Myrica esculenta produces paw inflammation by taking paw length measurements during tests with carrageenan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Collection of plant materials:

Dried stem bark of Myrica esculenta was obtained from an ayurvedic retail store, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

Extraction:

Preparation of methanolic extract of Myrica esculenta bark.

The bark was air-dried up to 7 days and dried bark were grounded to fine powder. The 250g of fine powder was extracted with methanol in 1:5 w/v proportion for 24h by using soxhlet apparatus. Then extract was vanished to dehydration. The weight of the final extract was 15.10 g^9,18.

Pharmacognostic studies:

Macroscopical studies:

The dried bark was used for its macroscopic examination like color, odor, size, and shape⁷.

Physicochemical parameters:

According to Indian Pharmacopoeia, the determination of various physicochemical parameters such as total ash, acid insoluble ash, water-soluble ash and loss on drying is determined.

Loss on drying (moisture content determination):

Around 1g of the powdered bark was weighed appropriately in a tarred petri dish which was previously dried under stated IP conditions. Through gentle side shaking, the powder was distributed as uniformly as possible. It was refrigerated in the desiccator and weighed again. The dish was dried in an oven at 100–105°C for 1 h. The drying deficit was measured using the wind-dried powder product¹⁰.

Preliminary phytochemical analysis:

Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts for saponins (Foam test), tannins (Ferric chloride test) and flavonoids (Lead acetate test) was done by using standard phytochemical screening methods^11-12.

Methodology for Animal study^13-14,18:

Carrageenan induced paw edema:

Healthy Wistar rats weighing about 180–220g were used for the current study. Animals were placed in polyethylene cages with free access to feed and water at standard temperature 22°C with relative humidity of 65%. The animals were maintained according to guidelines given by the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of the Experiments on Animals.

Drug and chemicals:

Carrageenan (Sigma Aldrich, India), all chemicals used for this experiment were of analytical grade.

Animals and housing:

The Institutional Animals Ethical Committee (IAEC), approved the animal experimental protocol. Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy. (Reg. no. 853/PO/Re/S/04/CCSEA), Kamptee, India. Protocol Approval Number is (853/IAEC/2024-25/12). The animals were housed in standard conditions of temperature (25±2°C) and 12:12 h light-dark cycle. The Wistar rats were fed with a commercial diet and water ad libitum. The animals were acclimatized to the laboratory conditions for a minimum seven days before the commencement of treatment.

Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Activity:

For the anti-inflammatory activity against acute inflammation, animals were divided into 4groups as follows:

Group I: Control

Group II: Carrageenan

Group III: (MEME) Methanolic bark extract of Myrica Esculata

Group IV: (MEF) Formulation (Gel) of methanolic extract of Myrica Esculata bark

Methodology for Carrageenan-Induced Acute Inflammatory Model:

Anti-inflammatory activity was measured using a carrageenan induced rat paw edema assay. Edema was induced by sub plantar injection of 100μL of 1% freshly prepared carrageenan solution in distilled water into the right hind paws of each rat of all the groups except control group. Animals of group II,III and IV remaining were treated with the single dose of vehicle, MEME, and MEF, respectively, 30minutes prior to carrageenan injection. Paw thickness were measured just before the carrageenan injection, that is, at “0 hour” and then at 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 minutes after the carrageenan injection. An increase in paw thickness was measured using software (VJ Instruments).

Measurement of paw volume:

Paw volume was measured by using a plethysmometer at 0 hr before injecting carrageenan, 1, 2, and 4h^10,18.

Statistical Analysis:

Data was analyzed by two-way ANOVA using Graph Pad Prism Software version 8.0. P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULT:

Pharmacognostical Investigation:

Macroscopic Evaluation:

Appearance and Color:

Outer Surface: The outer surface of Myrica esculenta bark is typically rough and irregular with a dark brown to grayish-brown coloration. The surface having fissures, cracks, and lenticels (small, corky outgrowths).

Inner Surface: The inner surface of the bark is smoother as compared to the outer surface and has a reddish-brown to yellowish-brown color.

Texture: The bark has a fibrous texture and can be somewhat tough to break. When broken, it reveals a splintery fracture.

Thickness: The thickness of the bark varies but is usually between 3 to 5 mm. The outermost layer might be thicker due to the presence of cork.

Odor: Myrica esculenta bark emits a characteristic aromatic odor. This scent can be slightly balsamic and is noticeable when the bark is freshly cut or powdered.

Taste: The taste of the bark is astringent and somewhat bitter. This astringency is due to the presence of tannins in the bark.

Lenticels and Fissures:

Lenticels: Small raised corky spots observed on the surface. These lenticels are responsible for gaseous exchange in the bark.

Fissures: The bark surface has longitudinal and transverse fissures which gives a cracked appearance.

Shape and Size: The bark is typically available in flat or curved pieces. These pieces can vary greatly in size, but they often come in irregular chunks or strips.

Cut Sections: When a transverse section of the bark is cut, the outer corky layer, the middle cortical layer, and the inner phloem can be distinguished. The phloem region is often marked by the presence of radial lines of sclerenchymatous fibers.

Additional Features:

Knots and Bumps: The bark may have knots or bumps which are remnants of branches or buds.

Physicochemical parameters:

Table 1. Determination of Phytochemical Parameter

Sr. No.	Phytochemical Parameter	Values (%)
1	Moisture Content	9.72
2	Extractive Value
	Alcohol soluble (%)	21.80
	Water soluble (%)	23.80
3	Ash value
	Total Ash value	2.37
	Water Soluble Ash Value (%)	0.55
	Acid insoluble Ash Value (%)	0.02
4	Foaming Index	125

Preliminary phytochemical analysis:

Preliminary phytochemical screening of methanolic extract of bark shows the presence of a high concentration of saponins, Tannins and flavonoids as shown in Table 02.

Table 2. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of Myrica esculenta bark

Components	Test	Result
Saponins	Foam Test	+(Present)
Tannin	Ferric chloride test	+(Present)
Flavonoids	Lead acetate test	+(Present)

Effect of Myrica esculenta bark on carrageenan‑induced paw edema:

In this experiment, we observed that the carrageenan injected group showed an increase in the volume of the paw and a single dose treatment with Myrica esculenta bark methanolic extract or gel based on Carrageenan induced paw inflammation showed improvement in the paw volume compared to the control group.

Data was analyzed by One Way ANOVA followed by Dunnet test and values are given in (Mean±SEM) P value 0.005 were considered as significant.

Figure 2. Carrageenan‑induced paw edema Model

Figure 3. Effect of Methanolic bark extract of Myrica Esculata (MEME) on carrageenan induced paw edema.

All values are represented as Mean±SEM. (n=6). Data was analyzed by two-way ANOVA using Graph Pad Prism Software. P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. ***P<0.001 compared with the carrageenan Group.

DISCUSSION:

To research Myrica esculenta scientifically we studied rat paw inflammation in response to carrageenan with different extract treatments. Our test data demonstrates that certain plant extracts reduce inflammation in rats since they produce very strong measurements against edema growth after injecting carrageenan under their paws. The highest anti-inflammatory plants displayed important statistical proof for their effectiveness. The plant extract shows the presence of saponins, tannins and flavonoids during initial chemical tests. The studied plant extract held very less water content. Less value of moisture content means there is no growth of bacterial, fungal, and yeast^15-16.

In carrageenan injected paw showed that constant swelling from 30 min same reported in many published research articles^17-18. Same result found in the current study. Carrageenan induced rats showed a constant increase in paw volume up to 4 h. Treatment with plant extracts shows a decrease in the paw volume. It proves that the drug has anti-inflammatory activity.

CONCLUSION:

The study’s findings have shown that different phytochemicals such as saponin, flavonoids and tannin are present in plant extracts and could be accountable for pharmacological activity. Myrica esculenta methanolic bark extract and gel are reduces pain in rats, resulting with the conclusion that plant extract has potent anti-inflammatory activity.

COMPLIANCE WITH ETHICAL STANDARDS:

Ethics approval and consent to participate. The animals were maintained according to the guidelines given by the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of the Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA). The experimental protocols were approved by the IAEC (Protocol approval No- (853/IAEC/2024-25/12).

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

The authors are thankful to the management of Nagpur College of Pharmacy for providing the facilities to complete the research work.

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Received on 05.01.2026 Revised on 12.04.2026

Accepted on 08.06.2026 Published on 01.07.2026

Available online from July 04, 2026

Research J. Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(7):3157-3161.

DOI: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00448

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