title: Pharmacological approach to the pro- and anti-inflammatory effects of Ranunculus sceleratus L.
abstract: Ranunculus sceleratus is a widespread species with unique toxicological and pharmacological activities. The present study seeks to assess this species' ability, both in vitro and in vivo, to modulate processes involved in inflammations. To this end, different extracts from the aerial parts of the plant were tested in several models of acute inflammation induced by tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA), arachidonic acid (AA), and carrageenan, as well as in two models of delayed hypersensitivity induced by oxazolone and dinitrofluorobencene (DNFB). The extracts were also assayed in models of eicosanoid and elastase release by intact cells. When tested in vivo, all of the extracts showed anti-inflammatory or neutral effects. In vitro, non-polar extracts of this species were able to inhibit eicosanoid production, whereas polar extracts enhanced the synthesis of 5(S)-HETE, LTB(4) and 12(S)-HHTrE. The hypothesis of a "counter-irritant" mechanism of action has thus been proposed and is also discussed herein.
authors.affiliation: Departament de Farmacologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de València, Av. Vicent Andrés Estellés, s/n 46100 Burjassot, València, Spain.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Prieto
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Recio
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Giner
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Máñez
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ríos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D051379:Mice; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000166:cytology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D031947:Ranunculus; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts