title: Pharmacological evaluation of aqueous extract of Althaea officinalis flower grown in Lebanon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Althaea officinalis Linn. (Malvaideae) flower is commonly used in folk medicine in Lebanon and neighboring countries. Although most of the studies have been conducted on the mucilage-rich roots, little is known about the flower.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates the potential role of aqueous extract of Althaea officinalis flower in lipemia, gastric ulcer, inflammation, and platelet aggregation using the rat model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood lipid profile and liver function were assessed after 1 month of extract intake via drinking water. Anti-inflammatory activity was tested against acute and chronic inflammation induced by carrageenan and formalin, respectively. Antiulcer activity was evaluated using ethanol-induced gastric ulcer. Antiplatelet activity was investigated in vitro using the adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation bioassay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 50 mg/kg body weight dose resulted in significant increase in serum HDL cholesterol level with no effects on stool cholesterol and triacylglycerol. Increasing the dose to 500 mg/kg body weight caused a significant decrease in stool water content. No adverse effect on liver enzymes was observed. Significant anti-inflammatory (acute and chronic inflammation) and antiulcerogenic activities were observed at all used doses (50, 100, and 250 mg/kg body). Time-dependent inhibition of platelet aggregation was demonstrated at 500 µg/ml concentration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The aqueous extract of Althaea officinalis flower demonstrated potential benefits in lipemia, inflammation, gastric ulcer, and platelet aggregation with no visible adverse effect.
authors.affiliation: Lebanese American University, School of Arts and Sciences, Department of Natural Sciences, Byblos, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Rouba
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hage-Sleiman
authors.forename: Mohamad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mroueh
authors.forename: Costantine F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Daher
mesh_terms: D031583:Althaea; D000818:Animals; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D035264:Flowers; D007861:Lebanon; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts