title: Anti-inflammatory effects and anti-oxidant capacity of Myrathius arboreus (Cecropiaceae) in experimental models.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inflammation is involved in various diseases; search for safe treatments is warranted. Anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extract of Myrathius arboreus (EEMa) were studied in carrageenan-induced model, formaldehyde sub-acute-induced model, and in 48 h lipopolysaccharide-induced air pouch model of inflammation. EEMa membrane-stabilizing activities and anti-oxidant capacity were determined in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the carrageenan model EEMa (125, 250, or 500 mg/kg), indomethacin (5 mg/kg), or vehicle 3 mL/kg was administered orally in rats (n=5). After 1 h, 0.1 mL of 1% carrageenan was injected into the right hind paw of rats. Change in edema sizes was measured for 3 h with plethysmometer. One-tenth milliliter (0.1 mL) of 2.5% formaldehyde was injected into the rat paw on the first day and the third day to induce sub-acute inflammation; changes in the edema sizes were determined, and percentages of inhibitions were calculated. Anti-inflammatory effects of EEMa were further examined in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced air-pouch based on leukocytes count, volume of exudates, levels of malondialdehyde, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, nitric oxides, and tumor necrosis factor released into the inflammatory fluids. EEMa-free radicals scavenging activities were studied in DPPH and reducing power tests. Membrane-stabilizing activities of EEMa were evaluated in the red blood cell lysis induced by thermal and hypotonic solution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EEMa (250, 500 mg/kg) produced significant (p<0.001; p<0.05) inhibition of inflammation when compared with vehicle. Also, EEMa (250, 500, or 1000 μg/mL) significantly stabilized membrane and produced free radical scavenging activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  M. arboreus possesses anti-inflammatory and the anti-oxidant properties that might benefit translational medicine.
authors.affiliation: .
authors.forename: Oluwafemi Gabriel
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Oluwole
authors.affiliation: .
authors.forename: Olufunmilayo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ologe
authors.affiliation: .
authors.forename: Akinyinka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alabi
authors.affiliation: .
authors.forename: Ganiyu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tunde Yusuf
authors.affiliation: .
authors.forename: Solomon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Umukoro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004487:Edema / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D027003:Urticaceae / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000431:Ethanol
keywords: anti-inflammatory; antioxidant; medicinal plant; membrane stabilizing