title: In vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of  Cryptostegia grandiflora Roxb. ex R. Br. leaves.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite Cryptostegia grandiflora Roxb. ex R. Br. (Apocynaceae) leaves are widely used in folk Caribbean Colombian medicine for their anti-inflammatory effects, there are no studies that support this traditional use. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the effect of the total extract and primary fractions obtained from Cryptostegia grandiflora leaves, using in vivo and in vitro models of inflammation, and further get new insights on the mechanisms involved in this activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ethanolic extract of Cryptostegia grandiflora leaves, and its corresponding ether and dichloromethane fractions, significantly reduced inflammation and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) in ear tissue of mice treated with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Histological analysis revealed a reduction of edema and leukocyte infiltration. Complementarily, we demonstrated that extract and fractions reduced nitric oxide (NO•) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, as well as scavenging activity on DPPH and ABTS radicals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results demonstrated for the first time the anti-inflammatory activity of Cryptostegia grandiflora leaves, supporting its traditional use. This activity was related to inhibition of MPO activity, and PGE2 and NO• production. These mechanisms and its antioxidant activity could contribute, at least in part, to the anti-inflammatory effect showed by this plant.
authors.forename: Jenny P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.forename: Yanet C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Ocampo
authors.forename: Luis A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Franco
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D029062:Apocynaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor / Q000187:drug effects; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000032:analysis; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects*; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000032:analysis; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003603:Cytotoxins; D010120:Oxytocics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D009195:Peroxidase; D015232:Dinoprostone