The effect of the aqueous extract of Helietta parvifolia A. Gray (Rutaceae) stem bark on carrageenan-induced paw oedema and granuloma tissue formation in mice.
OBJECTIVE
Despite the ethnopharmacological relevance of Helietta parvifolia A. Gray (Rutaceae) in Mexico, we found no significant pharmacological studies of this plant in the scientific literature. The aim of the present study was to establish the anti-inflammatory effect of an aqueous extract of the stem bark of Helietta parvifolia in mice.


METHODS
The anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous extract of the stem bark of Helietta parvifolia was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw oedema in mice, and the cotton pellet granuloma method.


RESULTS
An extract dose ranging from 20 to 80 mg/kg p.o. showed a non-significant effect over the initial phase of carrageenan-induced oedema. However, it showed a significant inhibition of oedema after 3h, which can be related to the inhibition of the release of kinin-like substances. An ID(50) value of 47.4 mg/kg was obtained for the plant extract. The extract also suppressed granulomatous tissue formation during chronic inflammation. The inhibitory values were 19.2, and 22.2, corresponding to 40 and 80 mg/kg doses of extract respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Aqueous extract showed a statistically significant anti-inflammatory effect in mice during the late phase of acute inflammation and during chronic inflammation. However, the exact mechanism(s) of anti-inflammatory effects of Helietta parvifolia observed in this study remains unclear.
Marroquin-Segura
Ruben
R
Laboratorio de Inmunología y Microbiología, Unidad Multidisciplinaria de Investigación Experimental, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
Flores-Pimentel
Maurilio
M
Carreón-Sánchez
Rodolfo
R
Garcia-Burciaga
Martha M
MM
Mora-Guevara
José Luis Alfredo
JL
Aguilar-Contreras
Abigail
A
Hernandez-Abad
Vicente Jesús
VJ
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D002351:Carrageenan; D032561:Cotton Fiber; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005528:Foot / Q000473:pathology; D006099:Granuloma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D051379:Mice; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry; D027821:Rutaceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002351:Carrageenan