朝医补肺元汤对哮喘模型小鼠肺组织中p38蛋白激酶表达的影响

目的:探讨朝医补肺元汤对小鼠哮喘模型肺组织中p38蛋白激酶表达的作用及其可能机制。方法:雄性BALB/c小鼠40只随机分成5组。支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中IL-5、IL-13的含量采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测出,并对支气管肺泡灌洗液中炎症细胞的病理学改变进行观察。应用免疫蛋白质印迹(Western blot)测小鼠肺组织中磷酸化的p38MAPK表达作用强弱。结果:相较于正常对照组,哮喘模型组小鼠BALF中IL-5、IL-13以及肺组织中的磷酸化p38MAPK表达增强(P0.05)。相比较于小鼠哮喘模型组,朝医补肺元汤低、高剂量组小鼠肺泡灌洗液中的IL-5、IL-13、肺组织磷酸化p38MAPK表达水平显著降低(P0.05)。综上可证明朝医补肺元汤能显著改善哮喘小鼠肺组织的病理学上的改变。结论:朝医补肺元汤显著治疗哮喘的功效密切相关于阻碍哮喘小鼠p38MAPK信号通路的表达。     

三子养亲汤、桃红四物汤单用及联用治疗哮喘大鼠作用的比较

目的 比较三子养亲汤、桃红四物汤单用及联用对哮喘大鼠的作用效果。方法 SD大鼠以卵清白蛋白(OVA)致敏激发复制模型,并予药物进行干预。采用ELISA法检测肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中γ干扰素(IFN-γ)、白介素4(IL-4)含量,并用Western Blot法检测肺组织中磷酸化p38蛋白激酶(p38 MAPK)的表达水平。结果 与正常对照组比较,模型组大鼠BALF中IL-4含量明显升高(P ＜ 0.01),IFN-γ含量明显降低(P ＜ 0.01),IFN-γ/IL-4比值下降(P ＜ 0.01);与模型组比较,各药物组IL-4水平下降、IFN-γ水平提高,IFN-γ/IL-4比值升高,差异均有统计学意义(P ＜ 0.05,P ＜ 0.01);化痰活血方组与三子养亲汤及桃红四物汤组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P ＜ 0.05,P ＜ 0.01)。模型组大鼠肺组织磷酸化p38 MAPK表达较正常对照组明显增加(P ＜ 0.01),各药物组磷酸化p38 MAPK表达下降,且化痰活血方组与三子养亲汤组、桃红四物汤组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P ＜ 0.05,P ＜ 0.01)。结论 三子养亲汤、桃红四物汤联用组成的化痰活血方对哮喘大鼠的治疗作用优于单用,可能与抑制p38 MAPK磷酸化,调节Th1/Th2平衡有关。     

黄芪注射液对哮喘大鼠p38蛋白激酶和白细胞介素-4表达的影响

目的探讨支气管哮喘大鼠肺组织p38蛋白激酶(p38 MAPK)和白细胞介素-4(IL-4)表达的变化以及黄芪注射液对其影响。方法应用鸡卵清蛋白(OVA)腹腔注射致敏和反复超声雾化吸入刺激复制大鼠哮喘模型。随机分成3组:正常对照组,哮喘模型组和黄芪干预组。分别采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)、逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和蛋白质印迹检测支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中IL-4含量、肺组织IL-4 mRNA和磷酸化p38 MAPK表达的变化,并观察BALF中EOS计数以及肺组织病理学变化。结果哮喘模型组大鼠肺组织中IL-4 mRNA、磷酸化p38 MAPK表达水平及BALF中IL-4含量和EOS计数均较正常对照组显著增加(P<0.01);黄芪干预组的上述改变较哮喘模型组显著降低(P<0.01),肺组织病理学损伤程度明显减轻。肺组织磷酸化p38 MAPK表达水平与IL-4 mRNA表达、IL-4含量和EOS计数之间分别呈显著正相关(r=0.71,0.73,0.65,P<0.01)。结论 p38 MAPK可能参与了支气管哮喘的发病过程。黄芪对哮喘的治疗作用可能部分与抑制磷酸化p38 MAPK的表达和炎症介质IL-4产生有关。     

隐丹参酮通过抑制p38 MAPK/NF-κB通路改善哮喘气道炎症

目的探究隐丹参酮(CTS)对哮喘小鼠气道炎症的影响,并探讨其可能的作用机制。方法将50只雌性BALB/c小鼠随机分为5组:生理盐水对照组(Control)、OVA哮喘组(OVA)、CTS低剂量组(CTS 50)、CTS高剂量组(CTS 100)、地塞米松阳性对照组(DEX),每组10只。建立卵清蛋白(Ovalbumin,OVA)诱导的哮喘小鼠模型,分别用50 mg·kg^-1、100 mg·kg^-1 CTS及10 mg·kg^-1地塞米松腹腔注射处理各组小鼠,对照组用等量生理盐水代替。末次激发24 h后处死小鼠,取支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)及肺脏。以Diff-Quick染色对小鼠BALF中炎症细胞进行分类计数;ELISA法检测小鼠BALF中IL-4、IL-5、IL-13含量;小鼠肺石蜡包埋,切片,行HE和PAS染色,观察小鼠肺组织的病理学改变;Western Blot观察核因子(NF)-κB p65表达水平,以及IkB-α、p38 MAPK磷酸化水平。结果 CTS显著减少哮喘小鼠BALF中炎症细胞数量,并降低小鼠BALF中IL-4、IL-5、IL-13含量(P<0.05);CTS显著抑制肺组织中炎症细胞浸润、杯状细胞增生及黏液分泌;CTS抑制NF-κB p65活化并抑制IkB-α、p38 MAPK磷酸化(P<0.05)。结论 CTS可抑制哮喘小鼠气道炎症,其机制可能与抑制p38 MAPK/NF-κB信号通路有关。     

朝医山药补肺元汤对哮喘模型小鼠气道炎症的影响

目的:探讨朝医山药补肺元汤对哮喘小鼠气道炎症和Thl/Th2类细胞因子变化的影响及其可能机制。方法:雄性BALB/c小鼠32只随机分成4组。分别采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)和蛋白质印迹检测支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中白细胞介素-4(IL-4)、IL-5、IL-13及γ-干扰素(IFN-γ)含量,观察BALF中炎症细胞和肺组织病理学改变。结果:与正常对照组比较,哮喘模型组小鼠BALF中炎症细胞计数、IL-4、IL-5、IL-13水平和IFN-γ水平显著降低(P0.05)。与哮喘模型组比较,朝医山药补肺元汤低、高剂量组小鼠BALF中炎症细胞计数、IL-4、IL-5、IL-13水平降低,IFN-γ水平显著上升(P0.05)。朝医山药补肺元汤能明显减轻哮喘小鼠肺组织病理学改变,朝医山药补肺元汤低、高剂量组之间比较,无显著差异。结论:朝医山药补肺元汤对哮喘小鼠具有保护作用,其机制可能与调节IL-4/IFN-γ平衡失调、减轻炎症细胞浸润有关。     

桦褐孔菌多糖抑制哮喘小鼠气道炎症的实验研究

目的观察桦褐孔菌多糖(Polysaccharide from Inonotus oblipuus,PIO)对哮喘小鼠气道炎的影响。方法雌性BALB/c小鼠40只随机分成正常组、模型组、PIO低剂量组(PIO-100)、PIO高剂量组(PIO-200)。体外卵清蛋白(ovalbumin,OVA)诱导建立哮喘小鼠模型,支气管灌洗液(BALF)内细胞Diff-quik染色后观察细胞总数和各分类细胞数。HE染色观察PIO对哮喘小鼠肺部炎症的影响并测定气道高反应性(AHR),ELISA方法检测PIO对哮喘小鼠BALF中IL-4、IL-5、IL-13、WNT 5A和血清中总Ig E水平的影响。Western blot方法检测PIO对哮喘小鼠肺组织中IL-4、IL-5、IL-13、WNT 5A表达的影响。结果模型组BAFL中炎症细胞数,BALF和肺组织中IL-4、IL-5、IL-13水平,肺组织中WNT5A和血清中总Ig E含量显著增高,与正常组相比差异显著; PIO低、高剂量组能明显降低哮喘小鼠BALF中炎症细胞数,BALF和肺组织中IL-4、IL-5、IL-13的水平,肺组织中WNT 5A和血清中总Ig E含量,减轻肺部炎症和降低气道高反应性。结论 PIO可能通过降低Th2细胞因子水平抑制哮喘气道炎症。     

姜黄素对哮喘小鼠肺组织磷酸化p38蛋白激酶表达的影响

目的探讨姜黄素对哮喘小鼠肺组织中磷酸化p38蛋白激酶表达(P-p38MAPK)的影响。方法雌性BALB/c小鼠40只随机分为空白组、模型组、姜黄素组、地塞米松磷酸钠注射液组和p38蛋白酶抑制剂SB203580组,每组8只。观察5组动物的哮喘发作表现、HE染色观察肺组织的形态学变化、ELISA试剂盒测定外周血清中IL-4的浓度以及蛋白质印记(Western-Blot)检测磷酸化p38蛋白激酶的表达。结果哮喘模型组小鼠肺组织中磷酸化p38蛋白激酶表达水平和血清中IL-4含量均较正常组明显增加(P0.01);姜黄素组、地塞米松磷酸钠注射液组和SB203580组均较模型组显著降低(P0.01),三组小鼠的哮喘发作表现,肺组织的炎症变化均得到显著改善。肺组织中P-p38MAPK与血清IL-4的含量之间呈显著正相关(r=0.981,P0.01)。结论姜黄素治疗哮喘,可能通过抑制磷酸化p38蛋白激酶表达实现。     

朝药鹿茸对哮喘小鼠模型气道炎症的影响

目的：探讨朝药鹿茸对哮喘小鼠气道炎症和Th1／Th2类细胞因子变化的影响及其可能机制。方法：雄性BALB／c小鼠32只随机分成4组。分别采用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）和蛋白质印迹检测支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）中白细胞介素-4（IL-4）、IL-5、IL-13及γ-干扰素（IFN-γ）含量,观察BALF中炎症细胞变化。结果：与正常对照组比较,哮喘模型组小鼠BALF中炎症细胞计数、IL-4、IL-5、IL-13水平明显增高和IFN-γ水平显著降低（P〈0．05）。与哮喘模型组比较,朝药鹿茸低、高剂量组小鼠BALF中炎症细胞计数、IL-4、IL-5、IL-13水平降低,IFN-γ水平显著上升（P〈0．05）。结论：朝药鹿茸对哮喘小鼠具有保护作用,其机制可能与调节IL-4／IFN-γ平衡失调、减轻炎症细胞浸润有关。     

平哮饮对哮喘模型小鼠气道炎症及IL-4、IFN-γ水平的实验研究

目的观察平哮饮对哮喘模型小鼠气道炎症及血清白介素4(Interleukin-4,IL-4)、γ干扰素(Interferon-γ,IFN-γ)水平的影响,探讨其抑制哮喘气道炎症的作用机制。方法将60只雌性BALB/c小鼠随机分为6组,每组10只,分别为空白对照组、哮喘模型组、阳性(地塞米松)对照组和中药治疗组(平哮饮高、中、低剂量组)。除空白对照组外,其余各组用改良的卵白蛋白多点注射致敏与雾化吸入激发法建立小鼠哮喘模型。空白对照组注射和雾化吸入溶液均为生理盐水。阳性对照组从激发当天开始给予地塞米松,药物干预组给予4、8、16 g/kg的平哮饮提取物,连续14 d。各组小鼠末次激发24 h后,处死各组小鼠留取标本。镜下观察各组哮喘小鼠肺组织病理形态变化及支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中白细胞计数和分类计数;用双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法测定小鼠BALF及血清中IL-4、IFN-γ含量。结果与哮喘模型组相比,平哮饮治疗组小鼠BALF及血清中IL-4含量显著降低(P0.01),IFN-γ含量明显升高(P0.05),同时IL-4/IFN-γ值显著降低(P0.05或P0.01),同时能使BALF中白细胞总数以及嗜酸性粒细胞和单核细胞比率明显降低(P0.05或P0.01),平哮饮各剂量组均可显著升高中性粒细胞比率(P0.05或P0.01)。病理切片染色结果显示平哮饮高、中剂量能够明显减轻肺组织细胞炎性浸润等病理症状。结论平哮饮可通过降低IL-4水平、升高IFN-γ的水平,调节Th1/Th2免疫平衡而改善哮喘模型小鼠气道炎症。     

梓醇对哮喘小鼠气道炎症影响的实验研究

目的观察梓醇的抗哮喘作用并探讨其可能的作用机制。方法 40只雄性BALB/c小鼠随机分成正常对照组、模型组、梓醇低剂量组和梓醇高剂量组;除正常对照组外,其他实验组采用体外卵清蛋白诱导建立小鼠哮喘模型,支气管肺泡灌洗液内细胞Diff-quik染色后观察细胞总数和各分类细胞数;肺组织切片HE染色观察肺部炎症情况;ELISA和Western blot分别检测BALF和肺组织中IL-4、IL-5、IFN-γ水平的变化。结果与正常组比较,模型组炎症细胞计数、IL-4和IL-5表达增高(P0.05),但IFN-γ表达降低(P0.05);梓醇低、高剂量组炎症细胞数、IL-4和IL-5的表达明显降低(P0.05),但IFN-γ的表达显著升高(P0.05)。结论梓醇通过抑制调节Th1/Th2细胞因子失平衡发挥抗哮喘作用。     

Effect of feeding Mucuna pruriens on helminth parasite infestation in lambs

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Mucuna pruriens is a tropical legume anecdotally reputed to have anthelmintic properties. This study was conducted to examine the validity of such claims.

Aim of the study

The aim of this study was to determine if ingestion of Mucuna seeds reduces helminth parasite infestation in lambs.

Materials and methods

Thirty-six Dorper × Katahdin ram lambs were assigned to three treatments, a cottonseed meal based control diet, a diet in which Mucuna replaced cottonseed meal and the control diet with levamisole (7.5 mg/kg body weight) administration. All diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The 12 lambs in each treatment were assigned randomly to 4 pens, each containing 3 lambs. Lambs were trickle infected three times per week by gavage with infectious Haemonchus contortus larvae (2000 larvae/lamb) for 3 weeks.

Results

Levamisole treatment decreased fecal egg counts by 87% and abomasal worm counts by 83%. Mucuna intake did not statistically affect fecal egg counts or abomasal worm counts, though numerical (P > 0.10) reductions of 7.4% and 18.1%, respectively were evident. Anemia indicators, feed intake, and lamb growth were unaffected by treatment.

Conclusions

Levamisole reduced the Haemonchus parasite burden in lambs significantly but feeding Mucuna reduced the burden by levels unlikely to eliminate the clinical effects of parasitism.     

Investigation of plant extracts in traditional medicine of the Brazilian Cerrado against protozoans and yeasts

Aim of the study

To investigate the activities of the 217 plant extracts in traditional medicine of the Brazilian Cerrado against protozoans and yeasts.

Materials and methods

Plant extracts were prepared by the method of maceration using solvents of different polarities. The growth inhibition of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strain (FcB1) was determined by measuring the radioactivity of the tritiated hypoxanthine incorporated. Activity against Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi and Trypanosoma cruzi was measured by the MTT colorimetric assay. The antifungal tests were carried out by using the CLSI method. The active extracts were tested also by cytotoxicity assay using NIH-3T3 cells of mammalian fibroblasts.

Results

Two hundred and seventeen extracts of plants were tested against Plasmodium falciparum. The eleven active extracts, belonging to eight plant species were evaluated against L. (L.) chagasi, Trypanosoma cruzi, yeasts and in NIH-3T3 cells. The results found in these biological models are consistent with the ethnopharmacological data of these plants. The ethyl acetate extract of Diospyros hispida root showed IC₅₀ values of 1 μg/mL against Plasmodium falciparum. This extract demonstrated no toxicity against mammalian cells, resulting in a significant selectivity index (SI) of 435.8. The dichloromethane extract of Calophyllum brasiliense root wood was active against Cryptococcus gattii LMGO 01 with MIC of 1.95 μg/mL; and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and Candida krusei LMGO 174, both with MIC of 7.81 μg/mL. The same extract was also active against Plasmodium falciparum and L. (L.) chagasi with IC₅₀ of 6.7 and 27.6 μg/mL respectively. The ethyl acetate extract of Spiranthera odoratissima leaves was active against Cryptococcus gattii LMGO 01 with MIC of 31.25 μg/mL, and against Plasmodium falciparum with IC₅₀ of 9.2 μg/mL and Trypanosoma cruzi with IC₅₀ of 56.3 μg/mL.

Conclusion

The active extracts for protozoans and human pathogenic yeasts are considered promising to continue the search for the identification and development of leading compounds.     

真菌的中药干预研究近5年进展

近年来真菌感染率逐年上升,传统抗真菌药物易产生耐药性,而中药在防治真菌感染方面具有一定的优势。本文就近5年来中药对白念珠菌、皮肤癣菌、曲霉菌、马拉色菌、串珠镰孢菌、申克孢子丝菌、新生隐球菌及真菌生物膜的干预研究进展进行综述。     

α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity of selected Philippine plants

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Antidesma bunius Spreng. (Phyllantaceae), Averrhoa bilimbi L. (Oxalidaceae), Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC. (Oxalidaceae), Ceriops tagal (Perr.) C.B. Rob. (Rhizophoraceae), Kyllinga monocephala Rottb. (Cyperaceae), and Rhizophora mucronata Lam. (Rhizophoraceae) are used as remedies to control diabetes. In the present study, these plants were screened for their potential α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.

Materials and methods

The 80% aqueous ethanolic extracts were screened for their α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activity using yeast alpha glucosidase enzyme.

Results

Except for A. bilimbi with IC₅₀ at 519.86±3.07, all manifested a significant enzyme inhibitory activity. R. mucronata manifested the highest activity with IC₅₀ at 0.08±1.82 μg mL⁻¹, followed by C. tagal with IC₅₀ at 0.85±1.46 μg mL⁻¹ and B. sensitivum with IC₅₀ at 2.24±1.58 μg mL⁻¹.

Conclusion

This is the first report on the α-glucosidase inhibitory effect of the six Philippine plants; thus, partly defining the mechanism on why these medicinal plants possess antidiabetic properties.     

European medicinal polypores – A modern view on traditional uses

Ethnopharmacological relevance

In particular five polypore species, i.e. Laetiporus sulphureus, Fomes fomentarius, Fomitopsis pinicola, Piptoporus betulinus, and Laricifomes officinalis, have been widely used in central European folk medicines for the treatment of various diseases, e.g. dysmenorrhoea, haemorrhoids, bladder disorders, pyretic diseases, treatment of coughs, cancer, and rheumatism. Prehistoric artefacts going back to over 5000 years underline the long tradition of using polypores for various applications ranging from food or tinder material to medicinal–spiritual uses as witnessed by two polypore species found among items of Ötzi, the Iceman. The present paper reviews the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and biological activity of the five mentioned polypores.

Materials and methods

All available information on the selected polypore taxa used in traditional folk medicine was collected through evaluation of literature in libraries and searches in online databases using SciFinder and Web of Knowledge.

Results

Mycochemical studies report the presence of many primary (e.g. polysaccharides) and secondary metabolites (e.g. triterpenes). Crude extracts and isolated compounds show a wide spectrum of biological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities.

Conclusions

The investigated polypores possess a longstanding ethnomycological tradition in Europe. Here, we compile biological results which highlight their therapeutic value. Moreover, this work provides a solid base for further investigations on a molecular level, both compound- and target-wise.     

厚朴与凹叶厚朴群体遗传学研究

目的:对厚朴与凹叶厚朴的群体遗传学进行研究,为中药厚朴的质量控制提供分子生药学方面的依据。方法:对厚朴与凹叶厚朴15个居群应用2个叶绿体基因间序列psbA-trnH和trnL-trnF进行PCR扩增并测序,计算厚朴与凹叶厚朴单倍型频率,用程序HaploNst分析遗传多样性和遗传结构,应用TCS version 1.13软件构建单倍型网状进化树。结果:厚朴与凹叶厚朴均无特有单倍型存在,但单倍型频率存在显著差异,已开始出现遗传分化的趋势,NST略大于GST。结论:厚朴与凹叶厚朴在遗传上已出现遗传分化的趋势,但尚未完全分化成彼此独立的单系。     

Antiplasmodial activity of extracts from seven medicinal plants used in malaria treatment in Cameroon

Aim of the study

In a search for new plant-derived biologically active compounds against malaria parasites, we have carried out an ethnopharmacological study to evaluate the susceptibility of cultured Plasmodium falciparum to extracts and fractions from seven Cameroonian medicinal plants used in malaria treatment. We have also explored the inhibition of the Plasmodium falciparum cysteine protease Falcipain-2.

Materials and methods

Plant materials were extracted by maceration in organic solvents, and subsequently partitioned or fractionated to afford test fractions. The susceptibility of erythrocytes and the W2 strain of Plasmodium falciparum to plant extracts was evaluated in culture. In addition, the ability of annonaceous extracts to inhibit recombinant cysteine protease Falcipain-2 was also assessed.

Results and discussion

The extracts showed no toxicity against erythrocytes. The majority of plant extracts were highly active against Plasmodium falciparumin vitro, with IC₅₀ values lower than 5 μg/ml. Annonaceous extracts (acetogenin-rich fractions and interface precipitates) exhibited the highest potency. Some of these extracts exhibited modest inhibition of Falcipain-2.

Conclusion

These results support continued investigation of components of traditional medicines as potential new antimalarial agents.     

中国石斛属植物文献计量研究

石斛是珍稀濒危中药材,目前正处于快速发展阶段。为全面了解我国石斛属植物研究的历史和发展现状,作者以1954～2010年"中国知网中国学术期刊网络出版总库"收录的石斛研究文献为依据,采用文献计量学的原理和方法,对我国石斛属植物研究文献从文献年代分布、期刊分布与被引频率、主题分布、研究对象分布、作者与研究机构分布等方面进行了统计与分析。结果表明,我国石斛研究明显分为起步(2个)、停滞、平稳发展、快速上升5个阶段;期刊分布存在离散性与集中性并存的现象,已形成核心期刊研究群,并以《中国中药杂志》、《中草药》和《陕西中医》为代表;研究主题广泛涉及临床与药理、组织培养与种苗繁育、成分分析等多个领域,已经形成比较稳定的研究机构和团队,但研究对象差异显著,以铁皮石斛、金钗石斛和霍山石斛最为集中。我国石斛属植物的研究已取得显著成果,但种植产业发展缓慢,供需矛盾突出,预计种苗繁育与人工种植、产品开发、化学与药理等方面是未来的研究热点,其文献报道仍将进一步上升。     

列当属、肉苁蓉属和草苁蓉属植物传统药物学调查

通过野外资源调查、整理各大标本馆标本原始记录和查阅文献记载等方法,系统整理、总结、归纳了列当属、肉苁蓉属和草苁蓉属民族药用植物种类、功效及民间使用情况,结果表明列当属6种药用植物在4个少数民族间作为7种民族药应用,草苁蓉属2种药用植物在8个少数民族间作为10种民族药应用,肉苁蓉属2种药用植物在3个少数民族间作为3种民族药应用,且同种药用植物常作不同民族药;发现3属植物的传统疗效主要集中在补肾壮阳、止血和止痛3个方面,并且该传统疗效与现代药理研究结果基本吻合。因此深入研究植物种类丰富的列当属植物资源对缓解肉苁蓉植物资源匮乏局面和扩大药源具有积极意义。     

Screening of the topical anti-inflammatory activity of the bark of Acacia cornigera Willdenow, Byrsonima crassifolia Kunth, Sweetia panamensis Yakovlev and the leaves of Sphagneticola trilobata Hitchcock

Ethnopharmacological relevance

An investigation of topical anti-inflammatory activity was undertaken on plants used in Central America traditional medicine.

Aim of study

Four herbal drugs used in the folk medicine of Central America to treat inflammatory skin affections (Acacia cornigera bark, Byrsonima crassifolia bark, Sphagneticola trilobata leaves and Sweetia panamensis bark) were evaluated for their topical anti-inflammatory activity.

Materials and methods

Petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts were obtained for herbal medicines and then extracts were tested on Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis model in mice.

Results

Almost all the extracts reduced the Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis in mice and the chloroform ones showed the highest activity, with ID₅₀ (dose giving 50% oedema inhibition) values ranging from 112 μg/cm² (Byrsonima crassifolia) to 183 μg/cm² (Sphagneticola trilobata). As reference, ID₅₀ of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin was 93 μg/cm².

Conclusions

Lipophilic extracts from these species can be regarded as potential sources of anti-inflammatory principles.