Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory properties of Dodonaea polyandra, a Kaanju traditional medicine.
BACKGROUND
Extracts of the medicinal plant species Dodonaea polyandra were investigated as part of a collegial research partnership between Northern Kaanju traditional owners represented by Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation (centred on the Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers, Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia) and university-based researchers. D. polyandra, known as "Uncha" in Kaanju language, is used in Northern Kaanju Traditional Medicine for relief from pain associated with toothache and related ailments. The species has a restricted distribution in Cape York Peninsula and there has been no previous Western scientific investigation of its pharmacology or chemistry.


OBJECTIVE
The current study investigates the anti-inflammatory effects of several extracts from D. polyandra.


METHODS
Phytochemical screening was conducted using TLC. Anti-inflammatory effects of leaf extracts were determined using an acute mouse ear oedema model induced by croton oil and 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) chemical irritants.


RESULTS
Flavonoid and terpenoid secondary compounds were detected in leaf extracts of D. polyandra. Non-polar hexane and methylene chloride/methanol extracts showed potent inhibition of inflammation in TPA-induced mouse ear oedema by 72.12 and 79.81%, respectively, after 24 h at 0.4 mg/ear.


CONCLUSIONS
In a mouse model of acute inflammation, this study revealed that leaf extracts of D. polyandra possess significant anti-inflammatory potential. These results contribute to a Western scientific understanding of the ethnopharmacological use of the plant in Northern Kaanju Medicine for reducing tooth-related pain.
Simpson
Bradley
B
School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5000, South Australia, Australia.
Claudie
David
D
Smith
Nick
N
Wang
Jiping
J
McKinnon
Ross
R
Semple
Susan
S
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D011793:Queensland; D029631:Sapindaceae / Q000737:chemistry*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010936:Plant Extracts