In vivo efficacy of different extracts of Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum Cass.) in animal models.
Dichloromethane, methanolic and CO(2) extracts of the aerial parts and roots of Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum Cass.) were investigated for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects after oral administration. The highest activity in rat's paw edema assay was found for the lipophilic extracts of the aerial plant parts (dose 200 mg/kg), exhibiting a swelling reduction of 72% (CO(2)-extract) and 80% (DCM-extract), respectively. Histological evaluation of the treated paws showed a significant reduction of the inflammatory response in the pre-treated specimens. On the contrary in the acetic acid-induced writhing test the dichloromethane extract of the root extract exhibited more pronounced analgesic effects than the extracts of the aerial parts, suggesting a different pattern of active compounds. As far as gastrointestinal effects are concerned, oral administration of aerial parts (hDCM 200 mg/kg) to mice induces a highly significant inhibition in gastrointestinal propulsion probably related to the presence of so far unknown compounds. Moreover, the antioxidant capacity of some extracts was studied in order to establish a possible correlation with anti-inflammatory properties.
Speroni
Ester
E
Department of Pharmacology, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, Bologna 40126, Italy. esperoni@biocfarm.unibo.it
Schwaiger
Stefan
S
Egger
Philipp
P
Berger
Anna-Theres
AT
Cervellati
Rinaldo
R
Govoni
Paolo
P
Guerra
Maria Clelia
MC
Stuppner
Hermann
H
D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019659:Asteraceae; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts