Pharmacological evaluation of the dichloromethanol extract from Inula crithmoides L.

The pharmacological effect of the dichloromethanol extract of Inula crithmoides L. was analysed in in vitro and in vivo models. The extract dose-dependently decreased arterial blood pressure and furthermore it showed low acute toxicity, CNS depressor activity and analgesic and antiinflammatory effects. Preincubation of the guineapig ileum and rat duodenum (100 μg/mL) produced a significant reduction in the contractile effects of histamine and acetylcholine and a concentration-related inhibition of the effects of serotonin. Following further fractionation the methylene chloride/acetone (50/50) fraction caused a significant decrease in motor activity and significantly reduced the threshold of pain chemical stimulus.