Antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities of gum mastic.
OBJECTIVE
Pistacia lentiscus has traditionally been used in the treatment of many diseases. Its resin was investigated for its mineral contents, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in rats.


METHODS
Inhibition of carrageenan induced edema was used to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity. Fe2+ chelating ability, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH) and nitric oxide scavenging activities were used to evaluate antioxidant activities and mineral contents were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Gallic acid content was determined by HPLC.


RESULTS
Resin produced statistically significant inhibition of edema at all doses when compared to the control groups. A 100% inhibition of inflammation was observed at 800 mg/kg i.p. Resin exhibit no toxicity up to 3 g/kg body weights i.p. in mice. Weak DPPH and nitric oxide scavenging activities were observed but showed good Fe2+ chelating ability (IC50 = 162 microg ml(-1)). The amount of elements was decreased in the order: Cu > Fe, Zn > Mn > Ni, Cd. Gallic acid content was 0.1 mg/g resin.


CONCLUSIONS
These experimental data support the use of Pistacia lentiscus resin as an antiinflammatory and antioxidant agent.
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
M
M
Mahmoudi
M A
MA
Ebrahimzadeh
S F
SF
Nabavi
S
S
Hafezi
S M
SM
Nabavi
Sh
Sh
Eslami
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D002351:Carrageenan; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D005297:Ferrozine / Q000737:chemistry; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000737:chemistry; D005707:Gallic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D000069997:Mastic Resin; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000737:chemistry; D010851:Picrates / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012116:Resins, Plant / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D005419:Flavonoids; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D000069997:Mastic Resin; D010851:Picrates; D012116:Resins, Plant; D005297:Ferrozine; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D005707:Gallic Acid; D002351:Carrageenan; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; C029451:ferrous chloride