Screening of the topical anti-inflammatory activity of the bark of Acacia cornigera Willdenow, Byrsonima crassifolia Kunth, Sweetia panamensis Yakovlev and the leaves of Sphagneticola trilobata Hitchcock.
BACKGROUND
An investigation of topical anti-inflammatory activity was undertaken on plants used in Central America traditional medicine.


OBJECTIVE
Four herbal drugs used in the folk medicine of Central America to treat inflammatory skin affections (Acacia cornigera bark, Byrsonima crassifolia bark, Sphagneticola trilobata leaves and Sweetia panamensis bark) were evaluated for their topical anti-inflammatory activity.


METHODS
Petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts were obtained for herbal medicines and then extracts were tested on Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis model in mice.


RESULTS
Almost all the extracts reduced the Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis in mice and the chloroform ones showed the highest activity, with ID(50) (dose giving 50% oedema inhibition) values ranging from 112 microg/cm(2) (Byrsonima crassifolia) to 183 microg/cm(2) (Sphagneticola trilobata). As reference, ID(50) of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin was 93 microg/cm(2).


CONCLUSIONS
Lipophilic extracts from these species can be regarded as potential sources of anti-inflammatory principles.
Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Salerno, via Ponte don Melillo, Fisciano, Sa, Italy.
M
M
Maldini
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Sosa
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Montoro
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Giangaspero
M J
MJ
Balick
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Pizza
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Della Loggia
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019659:Asteraceae; D003436:Croton Oil; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D007887:Fabaceae; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D029581:Malpighiaceae; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D024301:Plant Bark; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D003436:Croton Oil; D007213:Indomethacin