title: Characterization of topical antiinflammatory compounds in Rosmarinus officinalis L.
abstract: The topical antiinflammatory activity of three extracts at increasing polarity (n-hexane, chloroform, and methanol) from the leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Labiatae) has been tested using the croton oil ear test in mice. Both the n-hexane and the chloroform (CE-1) extracts from the leaves showed a dose-dependent activity, the last one possessing an antiinflammatory potency similar to that of indomethacin, the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug used as a reference drug (ID50 = 83 and 93 microg/cm2, respectively). The bioassay-oriented fractionation of CE-1 led to the identification of tritepenes, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and micromeric acid as the main antiinflammatory principles. Furthermore, the CE-1 extract obtained from the residue of the steam distillation of the leaves (extract A) showed the same antiinflammatory potency of CE-1, suggesting this waste product as a source of antiinflammatory products.
authors.affiliation: University of Trieste, Via A. Valerio 6, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianmario
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Altinier
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sosa
authors.forename: Rita P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Aquino
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mencherini
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Della Loggia
authors.forename: Aurelia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tubaro
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003436:Croton Oil; D004423:Ear; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D027542:Rosmarinus / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D003436:Croton Oil