Antiinflammatory and analgesic activities of the tissue culture of Saussurea involucrata

The tissue culture of Saussurea involucrata (TCSauI) KAR. et KIR. was studied to determine its antiinflammatory and analgesic activities in experimental animals. Similar to wild S. involucrata, TCSauI at doses of 75-300 mg/kg i.g. for 7 d markedly inhibited hindpaw edema induced by carrageenin in rats, ear edema induced by dimethylbenzene, and increased capillary permeability in the mouse abdominal cavity induced by acetic acid. Moreover, TCSauI had inhibitory activities against the writhing reaction induced by acetic acid and the hot plate reaction in mice. The present study provided evidence first that TCSauI has antiinflammatory and analgesic activities, suggesting the potential of the tissue culture technique to substitute for wild S. involucrata in the pharmaceutical industry.