Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the dry matter of culture broth of Termitomyces albuminosus and its extracts

Aim of the study

The objectives of this study were to investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the dry matter of culture broth (DMCB) of Termitomyces albuminosus in submerged culture and its crude saponin extract (CSE) and crude polysaccharide extract (CPE).

Materials and methods

The analgesic effects of DMCB, CSE and CPE were evaluated with models of acetic acid-induced writhing response and formalin test in mouse. The anti-inflammatory effects of DMCB, CSE and CPE were evaluated by using models of xylene-induced mouse ear swelling and carrageen-induced mouse paw edema.

Results

The DMCB, CSE and CPE significantly decreased the acetic acid-induced writhing response and the licking time on the late phase in the formalin test. Treatment of DMCB (1000 mg/kg), CSE (200 mg/kg) or CPE (200 mg/kg) inhibited the mouse ear swelling by 61.8%, 79.0% and 81.6%, respectively. In the carrageen-induced mouse paw edema test, the group treated with indomethacin showed the strongest inhibition of edema formation by 77.8% in the third hour after carrageenan administration, while DMCB (1000 mg/kg), CSE (200 mg/kg) and CPE (200 mg/kg) showed 48.4%, 55.6% and 40.5%, respectively.

Conclusions

The results suggested that DMCB of Termitomyces albuminosus possessed the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. Saponins and polysaccharides were proposed to be the major active constituents of Termitomyces albuminosus in submerged culture.     

Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of Platanus orientalis Linn. and its ulcerogenic risk evaluation

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Leaves of Platanus orientalis Linn. are used in folk medicine as a wound-healer and ophthalmologic agent. Phytol derivatives from the leaves of plane-tree show anti-ulcer activity. Its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects for knee pain were known to Persian scientists and hakims.

Materials and methods

The ethanolic extract of Platanus orientalis Linn. and its various fractions were given at a dose of 100 mg/kg po and 200 mg/kg po for testing their anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan induced hind paw edema. The analgesic activity of the ethanolic extract and its fractions has been carried out by tail-flick method and writhing test at a dosage of 200 mg/kg po. Gastric ulceration studies have been further carried out to study the ulcerogenic risk evaluation of the ethanolic extract and its various fractions at a dose of 600 mg/kg body weight.

Results

Among the tested fractions, chloroform fraction exhibited better inhibition (68.33%) at 200 mg/kg po dosage when compared to the standard drug Ibuprofen (66.66%) after 3 h in the carrageenan induced hind paw edema. The ethanolic extract and all its fractions especially the chloroform (p<0.01) showed significant analgesic activity with insignificant ulceration as compared to the standard drug i.e. Ibuprofen. The histopathological study of ethanolic extract and its fractions revealed that none of them cause ulcer.

Conclusion

The present study indicates that Platanus orientalis Linn. has significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.     

Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of ethanolic extract and its various fractions from Adiantum capillus veneris Linn

Aim of the study

To investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of the crude ethanolic extract of Adiantum capillus veneris Linn. (Adiantaceae) and its various fractions.

Materials and methods

The ethanolic extract and its fractions were given at a dose of 200 mg/kg po and 300 mg/kg po for testing their anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan induced hind paw edema. The analgesic activity of the ethanolic extract and its fractions has been carried out by tail-flick method and writhing test at a dosage of 300 mg/kg po. Gastric ulceration studies have been further carried out to study the antiulcer effect of the ethanolic extract and its various fractions at dose of 900 mg/kg body weight.

Results

Amongst the tested fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited better inhibition (67.27%) at 300 mg/kg po dosage when compared to the standard drug Indomethacin (63.63%) after 3 h in the carrageenan induced hind paw edema. The anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic extract and its various fractions appear to be related to the inhibition of NO release, and the decreasing TNF-α level. The ethanolic extract and all its fractions especially the ethyl acetate (p < 0.01) showed significant analgesic activity with insignificant ulceration as compared to the standard drug, i.e. ibuprofen. The histopathological study of ethanolic extract and its fractions reveals that none of them cause ulcer.

Conclusion

The present study indicates that Adiantum capillus veneris Linn. has significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.     

Antiinflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant activities of Cyathula prostrata (Linn.) Blume (Amaranthaceae)

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Cyathula prostrata (Linn) Blume (Amaranthaceae) is an annual herb widely used traditionally in the treatment of various inflammatory and pain related health disorders in Nigeria. The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant activities of the methanolic extract of Cyathula prostrata (Linn) Blume.

Materials and methods

The anti-inflammatory (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced nitric oxide production in U937 macrophages, LPS-induced COX-2 expression, carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, arachidonic acid-induced ear oedema and xylene-induced ear oedema), analgesic (acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate tests) and antioxidant activities (DPPH [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl] and lipid peroxidation assays) activities of the plant extract were investigated.

Results

The methanolic extract of Cyathula prostrata did not show inhibitory activity in the in vitro PMA-induced reactive oxygen species, LPS-induced nitric oxide production and LPS-induced COX-2 expression assays. In the in vivo anti-inflammatory assays, the extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) showed a significant (P < 0.05) dose-dependent inhibition in the carrageenan, arachidonic acid and xylene-induced tests. Cyathula prostrata produced a significant (P < 0.05, 0.001) dose-dependent inhibition in the acetic acid and hot plate analgesic tests respectively. The plant extract did not exhibit any antioxidant activity in the DPPH and lipid peroxidation assays.

Conclusion

The results suggest that the methanolic extract of Cyathula prostrata possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities and this authenticates the use of the plant in the traditional treatment of ailments associated with inflammation and pain.     

Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Croton crassifolius ethanol extract

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Croton crassifolius has been used to treat snake bites, stomach ache, sternalgia, joint pain, as well as pharyngitis, jaundice, and rheumatoid arthritis in traditional Chinese medicine. However, there is no scientific evidence which supports the use in the literature.

Aim of the study

To investigate the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extract of C. crassifolius.

Materials and methods

Anti-nociceptive actions of C. crassifolius were assessed in mice using the hot-plate test, acetic acid-induced writhing test, and formalin test. Anti-inflammatory effects of C. crassifolius were determined in three animal models: acetic acid-induced capillary permeability accentuation in mice, carrageenan-induced edema of the hind paw in rats, and cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation in rats.

Results

Ethanol extract of C. crassifolius showed no significant anti-nociceptive activity in the hot-plate test. However, extract at dosages of 45, 90 and 180 mg/kg significantly reduced acetic acid-induced writhing by 28.89% (P<0.05), 38.37% (P<0.05), and 56.53% (P<0.001), respectively. The extract also caused marked dose-related inhibition of formalin-induced pain in the second phase (P<0.05 for 45 mg/kg, P<0.001 for 90 and 180 mg/kg extract). C. crassifolius extract at dosages of 45, 90 and 180 mg/kg significantly reduced acetic acid-induced capillary permeability accentuation in mice by 26.18% (P<0.05), 65.70% (P<0.001), and 79.19% (P<0.001), and suppressed carrageenan-induced paw edema by 21.28% (P<0.05), 30.69% (P<0.01), and 49.17% (P<0.001) at 6 h after carrageenan injection, respectively. 180 mg/kg of the extract also showed significant activity against carrageenan-induced paw edema at 4 h. At 90 and 180 mg/kg, the extract inhibited cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation in rats.

Conclusions

These results collectively demonstrate that the ethanol extract of C. crassifolius possesses peripheral anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects, providing evidence to rationalize the traditional use of C. crassifolius for the treatment of pain and inflammation.     

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of Heracleum persicum essential oil and hydroalcoholic extract in animal models

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Fruits of Heracleum persicum (Apiaceae) are used as pain killer in Iranian folkloric medicine.

Aims of study

To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the hydroalcoholic extract and essential oil of the plant fruits and analyzing the essential oil.

Materials and methods

Essential oil and hydroalcoholic extracts of the fruits were prepared according to standard methods and the components of essential oil were identified using GC–MS method. The acetic acid-induced writhing response and formalin test were used in male mice to assess analgesic activity. For evaluation of anti-inflammatory effect, carrageenan-induced rat paw edema was used.

Results

Hexyl butyrate (56.5%), octyl acetate (16.5%), hexyl 2-methylbutanoate (5.2%) and hexyl isobutyrate (3.4%) were identified as the major constituents of the oil. Oral or intraperitoneal administration of Heracleum persicum essential oil (HPEO) at doses of 50–200 mg/kg and Heracleum persicum hydroalcoholic extract (HPHE) at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg significantly reduced acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions. HPEO and HPHE also significantly attenuated the pain response of the second phase of formalin test.In carrageenan test HPEO at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg and HPHE at a dose of 400 mg/kg induced a significant reduction of paw edema.

Conclusions

These results clearly show the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the plant essential oil and hydroalcoholic extract. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism of action and the components responsible for these pharmacological effects.     

Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity of sophocarpine

Aim of the study

This study aimed to assess the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity of sophocarpine in rodents.

Materials and methods

The anti-nociceptive effect was evaluated in two experimental animal models and anti-inflammatory effect in three animal models, and sophocarpine was given by tail vein injection for the above study.

Results

Pretreatment with a single dose of sophocarpine (20 and 40 mg/kg) produced dose-dependent anti-nociceptive effects in thermally and chemically induced mouse pain models. Pretreatment with a single dose of sophocarpine also produced significant dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effects on carrageenan-induced rat hind paw edema (15 and 30 mg/kg), xylene-induced mouse ear edema (20 and 40 mg/kg) and acetic acid-induced mouse vascular permeation (20 and 40 mg/kg).

Conclusions

Sophocarpine possesses peripheral and central analgesic properties as well as anti-inflammatory activity on acute inflammatory processes.     

Bioactivity guided isolation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory constituents of Cnestis ferruginea Vahl ex DC (Connaraceae) root

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Cnestis ferruginea (CF) Vahl ex DC (Connaraceae) is a shrub widely used in Traditional African Medicine (TAM) for the treatment of various painful and inflammatory conditions.

Aim of the study

To isolate the active pharmacological constituents responsible for the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of the methanolic root extract of C. ferruginea.

Materials and methods

The crude methanolic root extract of CF was sequentially fractionated into four sub extracts (chloroform, ethylacetate, n-butanol and the remaining aqueous fraction). The aqueous–butanol fractions, having showed significant inhibition of inflammation and pain, were subjected to fractionation through successive column chromatography on silica gel 60–120 mesh, eluted with a gradient of CHCl₃–MeOH.Sixty five fractions were collected; fractions with similar TLC profiles were grouped into seven major fractions (1–7). Fraction 4 being the most active in bioassay was rechromatographed to obtain CF-2. Analgesic activity was evaluated using the acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate tests in mice while carrageenan induced paw oedema test was used to investigate the anti-inflammatory actions of the fractions obtained.

Result

Amentoflavone (CF-2) was isolated from the aqueous/n-butanol fraction. CF-2 (12.5, 25 and 100 mg/kg; p.o) produced significant (P<0.05) dose dependent inhibition of pain response elicited by acetic acid and increased nociceptive reaction latency in hot plate test. In addition it produced significant (P<0.05) dose-dependent inhibition of oedema in the carrageenan-induced inflammation.

Conclusion

This study showed that amentoflavone is responsible for the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of Cnestis ferruginea.     

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity of Sambucus palmensis link,an endemic Canary Island species

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Sambucus palmensis Link is an endemic species of the Canary Islands, popularly known as “Saúco canario”. This species has wide use in folk medicine practice on the islands, especially as analgesic and anti-inflammatory. So the aim of our study is to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity of an aqueous extract of this species.

Materials and methods

Three aqueous extract doses (35, 52.5 and 70 mg/kg) were orally administered to laboratory Swiss mice obtained from the Central Animal House of La Laguna University. Writhing responses induced by phenylquinone, formalin induced paw pain response, tail-flick test and paw edema induced by carrageenan were evaluated in this work.

Results

Oral pretreatment with 52.5 and 70 mg/kg Sambucus palmensis aqueous extract significantly reduced the writhing number induced by phenylquinone injection (61.64 and 89.04% respectively), and the pain response in the first (36.67 and 38.89%) and second (57.28 and 70.1%) phases respectively of the formalin test. Sambucus palmensis had a very slight effect on tail-flick test and inhibited moderately the edema formation induced by carrageenan in mice.

Conclusions

These data show for the first time that Sambucus palmensis has a significant antinociceptive effect that seems to be more peripherical than central. Sambucus palmensis also displays a moderate anti-inflammatory activity in an acute inflammation model. These results support the widespread use of Sambucus palmensis in popular medicine to treat pain and inflammation.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of Albizia lebbeck Benth., an ethnomedicinal plant, in acute and chronic animal models of inflammation

Aim of the study

Albizia lebbeck Benth. is used both in Indian traditional system and folk medicine to treat several inflammatory pathologies such as asthma, arthritis and burns. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the scientific basis of anti-inflammatory activity of different organic solvent extracts of Albizia lebbeck.

Materials and methods

The anti-inflammatory activity of Albizia lebbeck was studied using the carrageenan, dextran, cotton pellet and Freund's complete adjuvant induced rat models. The extracts obtained using petroleum ether, chloroform and ethanol were administered at the concentrations of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight.

Results

The petroleum ether and ethanol extracts at 400 mg/kg, showed maximum inhibition of inflammation induced by carrageenan (petroleum ether—48.6%; ethanol—59.57%), dextran (petroleum ether—45.99%; ethanol—52.93%), cotton pellet (petroleum ether—34.46%; ethanol—53.57%) and Freund's adjuvant (petroleum ether—64.97%; ethanol—68.57%).

Conclusion

The marked inhibitory effect on paw edema shows that Albizia lebbeck possesses remarkable anti-inflammatory activity, supporting the folkloric usage of the plant to treat various inflammatory diseases.     

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Ligularia fischeri leaves in experimental animals

Aim of the study

The ethanol extract (LF) of Ligularia fischeri var. spiciformis (leaf) has been evaluated for antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in mice.

Materials and Methods

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities were studied by measuring nociception induced by formalin, acetic acid and hot-plate, and inflammation induced by carrageenan, formalin, and arachidonic acid.

Results

The acute treatment of mice with LF at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, by oral administration, produced a significant antinociceptive effect in the acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin-induced pain licking and hot-plate-induced pain. Also, the LF significantly inhibited both carrageenan- and formalin-induced inflammation as well as arachidonic acid-induced ear edema in mice.

Conclusions

These inhibitions were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Thus, our investigation suggests a potential benefit of Ligularia fischeri in treating conditions associated with inflammatory pain.     

The anti-inflammatory effects of Caragana tangutica ethyl acetate extract

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Caragana tangutica KOM has been used to treat arthritis, wounds, fever and other disease conditions in traditional Chinese medicine (TMC). To support the application of the plant in traditional Chinese medicine by investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of the ethyl acetate extract of Caragana tangutica.

Materials and methods

The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by animal models including xylene-induced ear edema in mice, carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats, acetic acid induced writhing in mice and LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI). The anti-inflammatory mechanism was evaluated by detecting prostaglandin E₂ and immunohistochemistry expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) using an EIA assay kit and immunohistochemistry, respectively.

Results

The results showed that the xylene-induced ear edema in mice was significantly reduced by the ethyl acetate extract at dosages of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, and the carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats was monitored to be reduced by the ethyl acetate extract 3 h after carrageenan injection. The ethyl acetate extract was also found to reduce the inflammation pain of acetic acid-induced writhing model in a dose-dependent manner and cause reduction of the ALI in mice through the inhibition of the release of PGE₂ and the LPS-induced COX-2 expression in the lung.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that the ethyl acetate extract of the plant can help to reduce inflammations by inhibiting the expression of COX-2.     

A report on anti-oedemogenic activity of Byttneria herbacea roots--possible involvement of histamine receptor (type I)

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The traditional healers of the Kol tribes of West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand (India), widely use the woody rootstock of Byttneria herbacea to reduce the swelling of limbs, due to filariasis. Besides filariasis different part of this plant is used for the treatment of cholera, diarrhoea and asthma.

Aim of this study

This study is a preliminary attempt to evaluate the anti-oedemogenic activity of the roots of Byttneria herbacea.

Materials and methods

The anti-oedemogenic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of the roots of Byttneria herbacea (HBH) was evaluated against carrageenan and histamine induced rat paw oedema, acetic acid induced writhing and histamine induced vascular permeability in mice. Further, the effect of HBH on the expression of human histamine receptor type I (H1R) was studied in HeLa cells.

Results

HBH exhibited significant dose-dependent inhibition (*p < 0.05) against carrageenan and histamine induced rat paw oedema. Similar significant dose-dependent inhibition was observed against acetic acid induced writhing and histamine-induced vascular permeability in mice. Moreover, H1R specific mRNA expression was also significantly (*p < 0.05) suppressed by HBH.

Conclusion

HBH was observed to possess anti-oedemogenic activity which is probably mediated through suppression of H1R.     

Investigation for anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic activities of methanol extract of Capparis ovata buds and fruits

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Capparis ovata Desf. has wide natural distribution in Turkey and it is consumed in pickled form. Flower buds, root bark, and fruits of the plant are used traditionally due to their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, anti-rheumatismal, tonic, and diuretic effects.

Aim of the study

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic effects of methanol extracts prepared from flower buds (CBE) and fruits (CFE) of C. ovata.

Materials and methods

Anti-inflammatory effects of CBE and CFE were assessed using carrageenan-induced and prostaglandin E₂-induced mouse paw edema models. For the anti-thrombotic effect evaluation, carrageenan-induced tail thrombosis model was performed in mice. The extracts were administered intraperitonally (i.p.) at the doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg. The anti-inflammatory effect of Capparis extracts were tested in comparison to 10 mg/kg diclofenac and anti-thrombotic activity to 10 and 100 IU heparin.

Results

CBE at the doses of 200, and 300 mg/kg and CFE at the doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg showed significant anti-inflammatory activity and CFE reached therapeutic concentration early than CBE in carrageenan inflammation model. In prostaglandin E₂ inflammation model, CBE and CFE exhibited significant inhibitory effects. The C. ovata extracts did not show remarkable anti-thrombotic effect.

Conclusions

Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that fruits of C. ovata have more potent anti-inflammatory effect than flower buds. It has been suggested that inhibition of cyclooxygenase pathway is one of the mechanisms of the activity. C. ovata may be potentially used as therapeutic agents for inflammatory diseases.     

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of methanolic extract of Kigelia pinnata DC flower

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Kigelia pinnata DC is extensively used in Indian traditional medicine for several diseases including inflammatory and painful disorders.

Aim of the study

The aim of the present study is to investigate the possible anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of methanolic extract of Kigelia pinnata flower (MKFL) to support the medicinal uses claimed by folklore practitioners.

Materials and methods

MKFL is evaluated for its anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats and analgesic activity in acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate and formalin-induced paw licking models in mice.

Results

MKFL exhibited a significant (P < 0.01) anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities with the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. in rats and mice respectively.

Conclusions

The results of the experimental study thus strongly support the traditional use of this plant for inflammatory and pain disorders.     

In vivo study of the anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities of leaves from Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng (Lamiaceae)

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng is a medicinal specie often used in Brazil, especially in Northeast Region, for the treatment of several diseases including inflammations and cancer.

Aim of the study

To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities of the hydroalcoholic extract from leaves of P. amboinicus in an attempt to determine whether the medicinal uses are supported by pharmacological effects.

Materials and methods

Anti-inflammatory activity was determined by carrageenan-induced paw edema method. The antitumor effect was evaluated in an in vivo experimental study, using the following tumors: Sarcoma-180 and Erlich ascite carcinoma.

Results

There were statistically significant decreases (p < .05) of edema paw in at the doses of 150, 250 and 350 mg/kg (i.p.) of the hydroalcoholic extract of P. amboinicus. Similarly, the administration of P. amboinicus at the doses of 100, 150, 250 and 350 mg/kg (i.p.) inhibited the growth of sarcoma-180 and Ehrlich ascite carcinoma tumors in mice.

Conclusion

The results suggest that the hydroalcoholic extract of P. amboinicus possesses anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities, supporting the folk use of this medicinal specie.     

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Cassia siamea Lam. stem bark extracts

Aim of the study

The present study was carried out to investigate analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Cassia siamea Lam stem bark extracts. We have also determined the cytotoxicity of each extract.

Materials and methods

C. siamea, a widespread medicinal plant traditionally used in sub-Saharan Africa, was collected in Congo Brazzaville. Stem bark was extracted with petroleum ether (CSE1), chloroform (CSE2), ethanol (CSE3) and water (CSE4). Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of these extracts were assessed in rats with hot plate test, paw pressure and carrageenan induced paw oedema. Cytotoxicity was assessed against KB and Vero cells.

Results

At the doses used (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) ethanol and water extracts showed significant and dose-dependent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. None of the extracts had cytotoxic activity on KB and Vero cell lines and the most active extracts (CSE3 and CSE4) had no acute toxicity.

Conclusions

The study highlighted the analgesic and anti-inflammatory of C. siamea stem bark. Four major families of compounds present in the plant may explain these activities: triterpenes (lupeol, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, friedelin, betulin), flavonoids (apigenin, kaempferol, luteolin), anthraquinones (emodin), phytosterols (stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol).     

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of aqueous extract of Flos populi

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Flos populi is an important traditional Chinese medicine prepared from the male inflorescence of Populus tomentosa Carr. or Populus canadensis Moench (Salicaceae family). Flos populi is mainly used for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases and anti diarrhea in East Asian countries. The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the aqueous extract of Flos populi (FPAE).

Materials and methods

Cotton pellets-induced granuloma, carrageenan-induced paw oedema, arachidonic acid-induced right ear oedema and xylene-induced ear oedema were used to assess anti-inflammatory activity of FPAE and analgesic activity was evaluated by hot plate test, acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test and formalin test.

Results

FPAE produced significant dose–response anti-inflammatory activity against cotton pellets-induced granuloma. FPAE at dosages of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg b w. significantly reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema by 48.84% (P<0.05), 54.95% (P<0.05), and 62.05% (P<0.05) at 5 h after carrageenan injection, respectively. FPAE significantly (P<0.05) reduced the ear oedema induced by arachidonic acid and peaked at the dose of 200 mg/kg b w. (40.78%). A significant (P<0.05) dose dependent inhibition of xylene-induced oedema was produced by FPAE and peaked at the highest dose of 200 mg/kg b w. (23.95%). FPAE (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg b w.) produced significant dose–response analgesic activity in the hot-plate test. However, the low percentage inhibition (<50%) suggests that it is not a centrally acting analgesic. Extract at dosages of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg b w., p.o. significantly reduced acetic acid-induced writhing by 39.6% (P<0.05), 45.4% (P<0.05), and 51.8% (P<0.05), respectively. The extract also caused marked dose-dependent inhibition of formalin-induced pain in the second phase (P<0.05).

Conclusion

The findings in this study suggest that the aqueous extract of Flos populi possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. These results may support the fact that this plant is used traditionally to cure inflammatory diseases.     

Aegiceras corniculatum extract suppresses initial and late phases of inflammation in rat paw and attenuates the production of eicosanoids in rat neutrophils and human platelets

Aim of the study

The present study is designed to explore the anti-inflammatory potential of Aegiceras corniculatum Linn. Blanco stems extracts and their mechanism of action against various pro-inflammatory mediators and to validate its traditional use against inflammatory diseases.

Materials and methods

Rat paw edema and peritonitis models were employed for in vivo studies. For in vitro studies human platelets and rat neutrophils were stimulated with Ca²⁺-ionophore A23187 leading to the production of various pro-inflammatory metabolites, i.e., 12-HTT, 12-HETE and LTB₄ and 5-HETE which were quantified by HPLC.

Results

The highly polar methanol extract (100 mg/kg) caused ∼90% reduction in the carrageenan- and prostaglandin E2-induced paw edema in rats. It also caused the inhibition of cycloxygenase-1 metabolite, 12-HHT (IC₅₀ 41.1 ± 1.5 μg/ml) with a concomitant rise in 12-lipoxygenase metabolite, 12-HETE in A23187 stimulated human platelets. Conversely, the non-polar hexane extract attenuated (IC₅₀ 0.36 ± 0.12 μg/ml) 12-HETE formation with a parallel rise in 12-HHT, thereby displaying a selectivity towards 12-lipoxygenase. Non-polar hexane extract also antagonized the production of 5-lipoxygenase metabolites, i.e., leukotriene B₄ and 5-HETE in the rat neutrophils. Furthermore, ethyl acetate extract inhibited both COX and 5-LOX with a marked decline in the production of 12-HHT (IC₅₀ 0.08 ± 0.002 μg/ml) and LTB₄ (IC₅₀ 0.86 ± 0.03 μg/ml), respectively. The anti-inflammatory effect of hexane and ethyl acetate extracts was also reflected by the diminution of carrageenan-induced cell infiltration in rat peritoneum. Additionally, plant extracts caused ∼60% suppression in dextran-induced paw edema implying that they also ameliorate histamine and serotonin release.

Conclusion

Hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts derived from Aegiceras corniculatum possess significant anti-inflammatory activity via multiple mechanisms and validate their traditional use against inflammation-related diseases.