Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and wound healing activities of the leaves of Memecylon edule Roxb.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant activities of the leaves of Memecylon edule Roxb. used traditionally in Thailand.


METHODS
Hexane, (Hex), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), methanol (MeOH) and 50% methanol (MeOH50) fractions of the dry leaves were tested in vitro for their interleukin-10 production; the most active fraction was further studied in vivo for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities using the ethylphenylpropiolate (EPP)-induced mouse ear edema and the writhing test with mice. All fractions except Hex were tested for their radical scavenging activity towards 1'-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH).


RESULTS
The EtOAc showed the highest stimulation for interleukin-10 production. In the EPP test, this fraction was significantly active 30 min after topical application at all doses used (0.5, 1.0, 2.0mg/ear); after 4h and at 1.0mg/ear EtOAc was slightly less active (inhibition 47.8%) than the reference, indomethacin, at the same dose (62.4%). At 200mg/kg orally, the EtOAc caused a significant inhibition of the writhing response by 56.6% which was like indomethacin at 10mg/kg. EtOAc, MeOH and MeOH50 exhibited radical scavenging activity. The order of IC(50) values was: ascorbic acid (9.1 microg/mL)>trolox (11.6 microg/mL)>MeOH (46.9 microg/mL)>MeOH50 (152.1 microg/mL)>EtOAc (1742.2 microg/mL).


CONCLUSIONS
The results provide support for the traditional use of Memecylon edule leaves in relieving inflammation and pain.
Nualkaew
Somsak
S
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham 44150, Thailand. nualkaew@yahoo.com
Rattanamanee
Kwanchai
K
Thongpraditchote
Suchitra
S
Wongkrajang
Yuwadee
Y
Nahrstedt
Adolf
A
D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008518:Medicine, East Asian Traditional; D035322:Melastomataceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D013785:Thailand; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007213:Indomethacin