A comparative study on the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of five Juniperus taxa.
BACKGROUND
Juniperus L. (Cupressaceae) species have been used to various inflammatory and infectious diseases such as bronchitis, colds, cough, fungal infections, hemorrhoids, gynecological diseases, and wounds in Turkish folk medicine.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate this traditional information, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the methanolic and aqueous extracts prepared from different parts (stem, fruit and leaves) of the five Turkish taxa under Juniperus section of the gender; J. drupacea, J. communis var. communis, J. communis var. saxatilis, J. oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus, and J. oxycedrus subsp. macrocarpa growing were investigated.


METHODS
For the anti-inflammatory activity, carrageenan-induced and PGE(2)-induced hind paw edema models, and for the antinociceptive activity p-benzoquinone-induced writhing and hot plate tests in mice were employed.


RESULTS
The methanolic extracts of fruit and leaves from J. oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus and J. communis var. saxatilis exhibited notable inhibition in carrageenan-induced edema model at a dose of 100mg/kg. The same extracts also displayed significant activity against PGE(2)-induced edema model. While, the remaining extracts were found inactive against these edema models. A similar activity pattern was observed against p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test without inducing any gastric damage or apparent acute toxicity, whereas all extracts were inactive in hot plate test.


CONCLUSIONS
The experimental data demonstrated that J. oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus and J. communis var. saxatilis displayed remarkable anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities; however, further studies are warranted to define and isolate the active anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive components from these active species which may yield safe and effective agents to be used in the treatment of inflammatory disorders.
Akkol
Esra Küpeli
EK
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Etiler 06330, Ankara, Turkey.
Güvenç
Ayşegül
A
Yesilada
Erdem
E
D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D016227:Benzoquinones; D002351:Carrageenan; D015232:Dinoprostone; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D018653:Juniperus; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018514:Plant Structures
D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016227:Benzoquinones; D010936:Plant Extracts; C004532:quinone; D002351:Carrageenan; D015232:Dinoprostone