title: Topical anti-inflammatory activity of Bauhinia tarapotensis leaves.
abstract: The topical anti-inflammatory properties of Bauhinia tarapotensis Benth. (Leguminosae) leaves have been studied by the inhibition of the croton oil-induced ear edema in mice. A bioassay-guided fractionation showed an interesting anti-inflammatory activity of the chloroform extract, that justifies the activity of the whole herbal drug. The main anti-inflammatory principles of B. tarapotensis leaves are triterpenic acids of ursane and oleanane series. The antiphlogistic activity of mixtures constituted of two ursane and oleanane isomers with different hydroxylation pattern, in the ratio 2:1, is comparable to that of indomethacin (ID50 ranging from 95 to 147 microg/cm2 and 93 microg/cm2, respectively).
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Economia e Merceologia, Università di Trieste, Italia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sosa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Braca
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Altinier
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Della Loggia
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Morelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tubaro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D036481:Bauhinia; D003436:Croton Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004431:Ear, External / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014315:Triterpenes; D003436:Croton Oil