Anti‐Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Activity of Urera aurantiaca

Urera aurantiaca Wedd. (Urticaceae) is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional medicine to relieve pain in inflammatory processes. In the present study, the in vivo anti‐inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of U. aurantiaca methanolic extract and its possible mechanisms of action were investigated. The extract showed anti‐inflammatory activity in the ear edema in mice test (34.3% inhibition), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was markedly reduced in animals administered with the extract: within 49.6% and 68.5%. In the histological analysis, intense dermal edema and intense cellular infiltration of inflammatory cells were markedly reduced in the ear tissue of the animals treated with the extract. In the carrageenan‐induced hind paw edema in rats assay the extract provoked a significant inhibition of the inflammation (45.5%, 5 h after the treatment) and the MPO activity was markedly reduced (maximum inhibition 71.7%), The extract also exhibited significant and dose‐dependent inhibitory effect on the increased vascular permeability induced by acetic acid. The extract presented antioxidant activity in both 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′‐azinobis 3‐ethylbenzothiazoline 6‐sulfonic acid tests and its total phenol content was 35.4 ± 0.06 mg GAE/g of extract. Also, the extract produced significant inhibition on nociception induced by acetic acid (ED₅₀: 8.7 mg/kg, i.p.) administered intraperitoneally and orally. Naloxone significantly prevented this activity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Anti‐inflammatory properties of cryptolepine

Cryptolepine is the major alkaloid of the West African shrub, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta. Cryptolepine has been shown to inhibit nitric oxide production, and DNA binding of Nuclear Factor‐kappa B following inflammatory stimuli in vitro. In order to validate the anti‐inflammatory property of this compound in vivo, we investigated its effects on a number of animal models of inflammation. Cryptolepine (10–40 mg/kg i.p.) produced significant dose‐dependent inhibition of the carrageenan‐induced rat paw oedema, and carrageenan‐induced pleurisy in rats. These effects were compared with those of the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug indomethacin (10 mg/kg). At doses of 10–40 mg/kg i.p., cryptolepine inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced microvascular permeability in mice in a dose‐related fashion. Oral administration of up to 40 mg/kg of the compound for four consecutive days did not induce gastric lesion formation in rats. Analgesic activity was also exhibited by cryptolepine through a dose‐related (10–40 mg/kg i.p.) inhibition of writhing induced by i.p. administration of acetic acid in mice. The results of this study reveal that cryptolepine possesses in vivo anti‐inflammatory activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities of pine (Pinus densiflora) pollen extract

The study aimed to evaluate the antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activity of pine (Pinus densiflora) pollen in mice. The antinociceptive activity was determined using acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction and formalin-induced licking, and the hot plate test. Antiinflammatory effects were evaluated using carrageenan- and formalin-induced paw edema, and arachidonic acid-induced ear edema in mice. The ethanol extract of pine pollen (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) produced a significant inhibition of both phases of the formalin pain test in mice, a reduction in mouse writhing induced by acetic acid and an elevation of the pain threshold in the hot plate test in mice. The pine pollen extract also produced a significant inhibition of carrageenan- and formalin-induced paw edema as well as arachidonic acid-induced ear edema in mice. The inhibitions were similar to those produced by aminopyrine and indomethacin, p.o. The different polyphenols found in pine pollen could account for the antinociceptive and antiinflammatory actions. The results obtained indicate that the extract possesses analgesic and antiinflammatory effects.     

Evaluation of antinociceptive,antinflammatory activities and phytochemical analysis of aerial parts of Urtica urens L.

The antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities of the ethanol extract of the aerial part of Urtica urens were determined by experimental animal models. U. urens extract was found to possess significant antinociceptive activity in chemically induced mouse pain models (ED₅₀ 39.3 mg/kg: 17.2–74.5 mg/kg) in the writhing test and 62.8% inhibition of the licking time in the late phase of the formalin test at a dose of 500 mg/kg p.o. and antiinflammatory activity on carrageenan‐induced rat hind paw edema (41.5% inhibition at a dose of 300 mg/kg i.p.). The extract displayed activity neither in the thermal model of pain nor in the topical inflammation model. The major component of the extract was determined as chlorogenic acid (670 mg/1000 g dry weight) and could be partly responsible for this activity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antiinflammatory and antinociceptive activities of gossypin and procumbentin – cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibition studies

In the present study the antiinflammatory and antinociceptive activities of a few selected flavonoids were investigated. Procumbentin, gossypin, chrysin and methylhespiridin were studied for antiinflammatory and antinociceptive activities using in vitro enzymatic assays and in animal models utilizing acetic acid‐induced writhing in mice and hind paw edema in rats. In vitro studies were performed using TMPD (NNN′N′‐tetramethyl‐p‐phenylene diamine) and oxygraphic methods for COX‐1 (cyclooxygenase‐1), COX‐2, 5‐LOX (5‐lipoxygenase) and 15‐LOX. Gossypin and procumbentin showed COX‐2 inhibitory activity and exhibited IC₅₀ (COX‐2/COX‐1) ratios of 0.14 and 0.11, respectively. None of the flavonoids tested in this study showed LOX inhibitory activity. Four groups were studied for each test compound following intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of doses of 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg. Antiinflammatory activity was measured by the carrageenin‐induced rat hind paw edema model and antinociceptive activity by acetic acid‐induced writhing. Procumbentin and gossypin showed antinociceptive activity at the 100 mg/kg dose. Gossypin showed antiinflammatory activity at doses of 10, 30, 100 mg/kg. Procumbentin and gossypin exhibited COX‐2 inhibitory activity when tested by in vitro methods. Procumbentin and gossypin showed antinociceptive, and gossypin showed antiinflammatory, activities. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Topical Anti‐inflammatory Potential of Standardized Pomegranate Rind Extract and Ellagic Acid in Contact Dermatitis

The present study evaluated the topical anti‐inflammatory potential of a standardized pomegranate rind extracts (SPRE) in parallel with its marker compound ellagic acid (EA, 13% w/w) against a mouse model of contact dermatitis. In the phenol‐induced mouse ear edema, topical application of SPRE (5, 2.5, and 1 mg/ear) and EA (0.65, 0.325, and 0.13 mg/ear, equivalent to its content in SPRE) dose‐dependently reduced the ear edema with the maximal inhibition of 79.12% and 73.63%, respectively. Triamcinolone (0.1 mg/ear) and diclofenac (1 mg/ear) as reference drugs inhibited the edema by 73.63% and 37.91%. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the mouse ear was also decreased by SPRE and EA up to 69.68% and 68.79%, respectively. Triamcinolone and diclofenac decreased the MPO activity by 76.66% and 80.14% similarly. The results indicated that topical application of SPRE and EA is promising for use in the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of Sedum kamtschaticum

Sedum kamtschaticum Fischer (Crassulaceae) has been used as a folk medicine in North-East Asia for treating inflammatory disorders. The present investigation was carried out to establish in vivo anti-inflammatory activity and cyclooxygenase-2 modulating activity of this plant material. The methanol extract of Sedum kamtschaticum significantly inhibited mouse croton oil-induced ear edema (24–47% inhibition at 50–400 mg/kg) and rat paw edema (24–30% inhibition at 400–800 mg/kg) by oral administration. Prednisolone (10 mg/kg) showed 54 and 36% inhibition in the same animal models, respectively. Sedum kamtschaticum also showed significant inhibitory activity against mouse ear edema induced by multiple treatment of phorbol ester for 3 days. In addition, Sedum kamtschaticum exhibited potent analgesic activity against mouse acetic acid-induced writhing (IC₅₀=125 mg/kg), while aspirin (200 mg/kg) showed 57% inhibition. Using lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 cells, down-regulation of cyclooxygense-2 expression was found to be one of the cellular action mechanisms of anti-inflammation by Sedum kamtschaticum.     

绿舒筋多糖的抗炎镇痛作用

 目的　评价绿舒筋多糖 (polysaccharides from Euonymus mupinensis LoesetRehd ,EMP)的抗炎镇痛作用。方法　用二甲苯致小鼠耳肿胀、鸡蛋清致大鼠足爪肿胀及大鼠肉芽肿炎症模型(纸片法),考察绿舒筋多糖的抗炎作用;用小鼠醋酸扭体法和热板法,观察绿舒筋多糖的镇痛作用。结果　绿舒筋多糖皮下注射给药,可明显减轻小鼠耳肿胀度 ,降低鸡蛋清致大鼠足爪肿胀,抑制大鼠肉芽肿;对小鼠醋酸扭体和热板反应均呈剂量相关性镇痛作用。结论　绿舒筋多糖对急、慢性炎症反应均有明显的抑制作用;对热和化学刺激引起的疼痛反应有明显的镇痛作用。     

Antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities of grandisin extracted from Virola surinamensis

The antinociceptive and antiinflammatory properties of the neolignan, grandisin, isolated from Virola surinamensis (Myristicaceae) were investigated. Grandisin (GRA) is present in several plant species from Brazil used in popular medicine for the treatment of disorders such as colic, inflammation, rheumatism, dyspepsia and liver dysfunction. These studies demonstrated that GRA is able to inhibit the acetic acid‐induced writhing in mice dose‐dependently, and that this effect is not caused by motor incoordination or sedation due to depressant effect in the CNS. Through the formalin test the antiinflammatory activity of GRA was characterized, this substance reduced the time licking the paw by 60.5% (only in the second phase (inflammatory pain). This activity was also verified by the oil‐induced ear oedema test, where GRA 10.0 mg/kg reduced the oedema by 36.4%. The results suggest that GRA has antinociceptive effects arising from antiinflammatory activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antinociceptive and free radical scavenging activities of alkaloids isolated from Lindera angustifolia Chen

Lindera angustifolia Chen is a folk medicine used for the treatment of contusions-induced swelling, rheumatic pains and bellyache in south and the middle part of China. Phytochemical studies showed that aporphine and benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids are the characteristic constituents of this plant. In this study, we evaluated the antinociceptive and free radical scavenging properties of six aporphine and two benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids isolated from the root of Lindera angustifolia. All alkaloids except magnocurarine exhibited remarkable radical scavenging effects (36-90% scavenging at 25-100microg/ml) in DPPH radical scavenging test, among them norisocorydine showed the hightest activity (SC(50): 14.1microg/ml). Antinociceptive activities were tested by using acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin test at dose of 20mg/kg. Norisocorydine exhibited the highest antinociceptive ability with 83.5% writhing inhibition. Boldine, norboldine showed significant antinociceptive activity with 76.3% and 74.6% writhing inhibition respectively. Indomethacin was used as positive control, which showed 67.8% writhing inhibition at dose of 10mg/kg. Most of the compounds, except N-ethoxycarbonyllaurotetanine and magnocurarine, could significantly inhibit the phase I reaction (P<0.01), and all of them inhibited the phase II reaction (P<0.001) in the formalin tests (indomethacin and morphine were used as positive drugs). The antinociceptive effects exhibited a structure-activity relationship similar to that of the free radical scavenging activities. Above results suggested that the alkaloids from the root of Lindera angustifolia possess both free radical scavenging and antinociceptive activities, and the antinociceptive activity seems to be related to the free radical scavenging effect.     

黄药子乙醇提取物抗炎活性研究

目的：观察黄药子乙醇提取物（ET）的抗炎活性。方法：①采用小鼠二甲苯致耳肿胀炎症模型,考察ET（50、100、200mg／kg）的抗炎活性,并考察了在二甲苯诱导的小鼠炎症病理状态下ET对肝功能的影响;②通过分析比较耳内前列腺素PGE2含量,初步探讨了其抗炎机制。结果：①与模型组比较,ET（100、200mg／kg）组小鼠耳肿胀明显降低（P〈0．05）,ET（50mg／kg）有降低趋势（P〉0．05）,ET（50、100、200mg／kg）呈现出良好的量效关系;与阳性药阿司匹林（Aspirin,200mg／kg）比较,ET（200mg／kg）组小鼠耳肿胀无明显差异（P〉0．05）;ET（200mg／kg）对二甲苯诱导的炎症病理状态下小鼠血清ALT和AST活力均无影响（P〉0．05）,而Aspirin（200mg／kg）则可引起AI』T和AST明显升高（P〈0．05）;②ET（200mg／kg）可明显降低小鼠炎症耳组织内过高的炎症因子PGE：含量（P〈0．05）。结论：ET在100、200mg／kg对二甲苯诱发的小鼠急性炎症模型有效,并在同一剂量（200mg／kg）下与Aspirin抗炎作用相当,且避免了Aspirin用药诱发肝毒性的不良反应;ET抗炎作用机制可能与抑制炎症组织内炎症因子PGE,合成有关。     

Estimation of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity on Geranium pratense subsp. finitimum and its phenolic compounds

To obtain experimental evidence on the therapeutic efficacy of Geranium species and its phenolic compounds for inflammatory diseases, we examined the effects of the aqueous extract of the aerial parts of Geranium pratense subsp. finitimum (Woronow) Knuth, its fractions and isolated compounds, the mixture of quercetin 3-O-alpha-arabinopyranoside, kaempferol 3-O-beta-galactopyranoside (1), the mixture of quercetin 3-O-beta-glucopyranoside, quercetin 3-O-beta-galactopyranoside (2), kaempferol 3-O-beta-glucopyranoside (3), (-)-6-chloroepicatechin (4), the mixture of quercetin 3-O-(2'-O-galloyl)-beta-glucopyranoside, quercetin 3-O-(2'-O-galloyl)-beta-galactopyranoside (5) and myricetin 3-O-(2'-O-galloyl)-beta-glucopyranoside (6), on carrageenan-, PGE(2)- and TPA-induced inflammation in mice and p-benzoquinone-induced writhing reflex to assess anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. The effective dose of materials for the inhibition of carragenan-induced hind paw edema assay was determined to be 100 mg/kg, which was also used in the assays with the extract, its fractions and isolated compounds in all other experiments. The aqueous extract, 1, 2 (100 mg/kg), as well as indomethacin (10 mg/kg) inhibited significantly the formation of the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema. There was also a significant reduction in PGE(2)-induced hind paw edema and TPA-induced ear edema models with 5, in addition to the aqueous extract and the other active components 1 and 2. In the antinociceptive assay, the aqueous extract and its fractions, as well as 1, 2, and 5 diminished significantly the number of writhings. Based on the results obtained it is suggested that the aqueous extract of Geranium pratense subsp. finitimum and its phenolic compounds display anti-inflammatory activity, supporting the folkloric use.     

Antinociceptive Effect of Lupeol: Evidence for a Role of Cytokines Inhibition

The present study investigates the antinociceptive properties of lupeol in models of inflammatory and post‐operative pain, as well as its mechanisms of action. The effects of lupeol were tested against acetic acid‐induced writhing, formalin test, carrageenan‐induced hyperalgesia, and post‐operative pain model. Cytokine levels were determined by ELISA. Mice motor performance was evaluated in the rota rod and open‐field tests. Pre‐treatment of mice with lupeol (5–100 mg/kg IP) produced a dose‐related inhibition of writhing in mice. The maximal antinociception produced by lupeol (60 mg/kg) was unaffected in mice pre‐treated with yohimbine (α2 adrenoceptor antagonist; 2 mg/kg IP), L‐arginine (substrate for nitric oxide synthase; 600 mg/kg IP), glibenclamide (the K_ATP‐channel blocker; 2 mg/kg IP), and methysergide maleate (serotoninergic receptors antagonist; 5 mg/kg IP). Furthermore, lupeol (25–100 mg/kg) inhibited the late phase of formalin test. Pre‐treatment with lupeol (50 and 100 mg/kg) inhibited the hyperalgesia and the local increase in tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) levels induced by carrageenan. In contrast, lupeol did not inhibit the post‐operative pain. Lupeol‐treated mice did not show any motor performance alterations or apparent systemic toxicity. Our results demonstrate that lupeol has consistent antinociceptive properties during inflammatory pain, but not post‐operative pain, acting through the inhibition of IL‐1β and TNF‐α production. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Appraisal of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential of extract and fractions from the leaves of Torreya grandis Fort Ex. Lindl

Torreya grandis (Taxaceae) was studied for antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects. Leaves were extracted with 80% ethanol at 80 °C for 3 h and fractionated with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethylacetate and n-butanol. The aqueous ethanolic extract (aq.EE), ethylacetate fraction (EaF) and butanol fraction (BtF) at the doses of (100 and 200 mg/kg, i.g.) body weight were used for study. Evaluation of antinociceptive activity was carried out by acetic acid-induced writhing response and formalin-induced paw licking time in the first and second phases of mice. The paw edema induced by formalin- and xylene-induced ear edema were used to assess anti-inflammatory activity. It was found that Torreya grandis extract and fractions at the doses of (100 and 200 mg/kg, i.g.) were significantly attenuated the writhing responses induced by acetic acid and second phase of pain response induced by subplantar injection of formalin in mice. In addition, these extract and fractions inhibiting the formaldehyde-induced arthritis as well as xylene-induces edema prolifically. From acute oral toxicity studies no mortality was pragmatic even at highest dose (2500 mg/kg, i.g.). Furthermore, our phytochemical studies indicated that the aq. ethanolic extract of leaves contains alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids and saponins. The results provide justification for the folkloric uses of Torreya grandis in the treatment of analgesic and inflammatory-based diseases across the China.     

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of extract and two isolated flavonoids of Carthamus tinctorius L

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) has been long used both in the traditional system and folk medicine as an analgesic anti-inflammatory agent in China. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of hydroalcoholic extract (HE) and two isolated kaempferol glycosides of Carthamus tinctorius L. to provide experimental evidence for its traditional use.

Materials and methods

Antinociceptive effects of HE, kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside (K-3-R) and kaempferol 3-O-glucoside (K-3-G) were assessed in mice using the acetic acid-induced writhing test, formalin test and cinnamaldehyde test. The anti-inflammatory effects of HE, K-3-R and K-3-G were determined in two animal models: carrageenan-induced paw edema and xylene-induced ear edema.

Results

The HPLC analysis showed the presence of K-3-R and K-3-G in Carthamus tinctorius L. HE (500 and 1000 mg/kg) as well as K-3-R and K-3-G (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg) produced significant inhibition on nociception induced by acetic acid and formalin. Oral treatment of HE, K-3-R and K-3-G at all doses significantly reduced both the nociceptive response and cinnamaldehyde-induced paw edema, effect that was superior to aspirin. In anti-inflammatory tests, HE and K-3-G significantly inhibited the paw edema during the both phases of carrageenan-induced inflammation while K-3-G suppressed the late phase inflammation only. HE (400 and 800 mg/kg) and K-3-G (200, 400, 800 mg/kg) produced significant dose-dependent inhibition of xylene-induced ear edema development. K-3-R only suppressed ear edema formation at a high dose (800 mg/kg).

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that Carthamus tinctorius L. extract possess remarkable antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities which may be due to K-3-R and K-3-G at least in part, supporting the folkloric usage of the plant to treat various inflammatory and pain diseases.     

Antinociceptive and antiedematogenic effects of the aqueous extract of Hyptis pectinata leaves in experimental animals

The aqueous leaf extract of Hyptis pectinata (L.) Poit (Lamiaceae), popularly known in Brazil as "sambaicatá" or "canudinho", was tested for its antinociceptive effects using the abdominal writhing, hot plate and formalin test models, and for its aniedematogenic effects using the carrageenin and arachidonic acid-induced rat paw edema. The aqueous extract of Hyptis pectinata administered orally at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg had a significant antinociceptive effect in the test of acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, with 43, 51 and 54% reduction of writhes, respectively, compared to the control. An increase in hot-plate latency of 47 and 37.5% was also observed in animals receiving doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o. when placed on a hot plate. In the formalin test, doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o. had no significant effect during the first phase of the test (0-5 min), while the dose of 200 mg/kg, p.o. reduced the nociceptive effect by 70% during the second phase (20-25 min). At the dose of 600 mg/kg, p.o., the aqueous extract inhibited carrageenin-induced rat paw edema by 34.1%, and the dose of 300 mg/kg administered intraperitoneally inhibited the rat paw edema induced by subplantar injection of arachidonic acid by 32.8%. These results suggest that the aqueous extract from the Hyptis pectinata leaves produces antiedematogenic and antinociceptive effects. The antinocipetion observed with the hot-plate test probably involves the participation of the opioid system.     

Antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities of Adiantum latifolium Lam.: Evidence for a role of IL-1β inhibition

Aim of study

Adiantum, one of the most widely distributed genera of the family Pteridaceae, is employed in folk medicine worldwide. Adiantum latifolium Lam. has been used in Latin American traditional medicine as anxiolytic, analgesic and antiinflammatory. The present study investigates the antinociceptive and antiinflammatory properties of the methanolic extract of Adiantum latifolium (MEA) in animal models of pain and inflammation to confirm its medicinal use.

Material and methods

The antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities of MEA were evaluated using the writhing, formalin, and tail-flick tests, carrageenan-induced paw edema and arachidonic acid-induced ear edema. Mice motor performance was evaluated in the rota rod test and the acute toxicity evaluated over 14 days.

Results

Intraperitoneal (1-100 mg/kg) or oral (100-400 mg/kg) administration of MEA produced a dose-related inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing in mouse. Furthermore, treatment with MEA (100 mg/kg) inhibited both the early and late phases of formalin-induced hypernociception. In contrast, MEA (100 mg/kg/IP) did not prevent the thermal nociception in the tail-flick test. In addition, MEA (100 and 200 mg/kg/IP) inhibited important events related to the inflammatory response induced by carrageenan or arachidonic acid, namely local edema and increase in tissue interleukin-1β levels. MEA (300 mg/kg/IP)-treated mice did not show any motor performance alterations. Over the study period of 14 days, there were no deaths or toxic signs recorded in the group of mice given 1000 mg/kg of MEA.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate that Adiantum latifolium has antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities, acting through the inhibition of IL-1β production.     

Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and acute toxicity effects of Zataria multiflora Boiss extracts in mice and rats

Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and acute toxicity of the aqueous infusion and ethanolic maceration extracts of the aerial parts of Zataria multiflora Boiss were studied in mice and rats. Antinociceptive activity was done using hot-plate and writhing tests. The effect of the extracts against acute inflammation was studied by vascular permeability increased by acetic acid and xylene induced ear edema in mice. The activity of the extracts against chronic inflammation was assessed by the cotton pellet test in rats. LD50 of the infusion and maceration extract was 3.85 and 3.47 g/kg, respectively. Intraperitoneal injection of both extracts in mice showed significant and dose-dependent antinociceptive activity. Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, pretreatment inhibited the antinociceptive activity of the extracts. The extracts exhibited antinociceptive activity against acetic acid induced writhing which was partially blocked by naloxone. Both extracts did not show remarkable activity against acute inflammation induced by acetic acid in mice. In the xylene ear edema, Z. multiflora Boiss extracts showed significant activity in mice. In the chronic inflammation the efficacy of the extracts was more than in acute inflammation. It is concluded that aqueous infusion and maceration of the aerial parts of Z. multiflora Boiss have antinociceptive effect and this may be mediated by opioid receptors. The extracts showed also anti-inflammatory effect against acute and chronic inflammation.     

In vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive actions of some Lamium species

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Several Lamium species have been used to relieve pain in arthritic ailments in Turkish folk medicine. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of different extracts prepared with methanol, dichloromethane, n-butanol and water from the aerial parts of some Lamium species of Turkish origin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lamium eriocephalum subsp. eriocephalum, Lamium garganicum subsp. laevigatum, Lamium garganicum subsp. pulchrum and Lamium purpureum var. purpureum (Lamiaceae); for the anti-inflammatory activity, carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model, PGE(2)-induced hind paw edema model, and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear edema model and for the antinociceptive activity p-benzoquinone (PBQ)-induced writhing test in mice were employed. RESULTS: The n-butanol extracts of Lamium garganicum subsp. laevigatum (LGL-BuOH), Lamium garganicum subsp. pulchrum (LGP-BuOH), and Lamium purpureum var. purpureum (LPP-BuOH) exhibited notable inhibition (16.5-28.9, 14.5-26.9, 12.3-21.5%, resp.) in carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model at doses of 200mg/kg without inducing any gastric damage. The LGL-BuOH (7.1-30.4%) and LGP-BuOH (5.9-24.1%) extracts also displayed potent anti-inflammatory activity against PGE(2)-induced hind paw edema model. LGL-BuOH and LGP-BuOH were also found to exhibit remarkable antinociceptive activity in p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test at a dose of 200 mg/kg (25.0 and 24.3%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The experimental data demonstrated that Lamium garganicum subsp. laevigatum and Lamium garganicum subsp. pulchrum displayed remarkable anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities.     

Assessment of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Daphne pontica L. (Thymelaeaceae)

The n-hexane, diethylether, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts from roots, leaves, stems and flowers with young leaves of Daphne pontica L. (Thymelaeaceae) were investigated for their in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. For the anti-inflammatory activity assessment, carrageenan-induced hind paw edema, PGE(2)-induced hind paw edema and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear edema models and for the antinociceptive activity, p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test were used. Only ethyl acetate extracts of the roots showed significant anti-inflammatory activity on carrageenan-induced (22.7-32.0% inhibition) and PGE(2)-induced hind paw edema (3.2-27.3% inhibition) as well as 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear edema (47.8-43.3% inhibition) models at 50 mg/kg dose without inducing any apparent gastric lesion or acute toxicity, whereas the other extracts were shown to be ineffective. In addition to roots, ethyl acetate extracts of the stems exhibited 19.5-29.9%; 5.3-23.9%; 36.6-28.1% inhibition on carrageenan-induced and PGE(2)-induced hind paw edema as well as 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear edema models, respectively. On the other hand, none of the extracts showed any significant antinociceptive activity.