Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive potential of major phenolics from Verbascum salviifolium Boiss.

The potential effects of flavonoids, phenylethanoid and neolignan glycosides from the aerial parts of Verbascum salviifolium Boiss. were studied in the p-benzoquinone-induced writhing reflex, for the assessment of the antinociceptive activity, and in carrageenan- and PGE1-induced hind paw edema and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear edema models in mice, for the assessment of the anti-inflammatory activity. Through bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation procedures ten compounds from the aqueous extract of the plant, luteolin 7-O-glucoside (1), luteolin 3'-O-glucoside (2), apigenin 7-O-glucoside (3), chrysoeriol 7-O-glucoside (4), beta-hydroxyacteoside (5), martynoside (6), forsythoside B (7), angoroside A (8), dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol-9'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9) and dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol-9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (10), were isolated and their structures were elucidated by spectral techniques. Results have shown that 1, 2, 3 and 5 significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema at a 200 mg/kg dose, while 1, 2 and 5 also displayed anti-inflammatory activity against the PGE1-induced hind paw edema model. However, all the compounds showed no effect in the TPA-induced ear edema model. The compounds 1 and 2 also exhibited significant antinociceptive activity.

Effect of brining on biological activity of leaves of Vitis vinifera L. (Cv. Sultani Cekirdeksiz) from Turkey.

Leaves of Vitis vinifera (Fam. Vitaceae) cv. 'Sultani Cekirdeksiz' cultivated in Manisa-Alasehir in western Turkey, were processed with or without brine. Fresh, brined, and nonbrined leaves (after being subjected to 3 months of fermentation) were sampled and extracted with distilled water under reflux. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nociceptive activities of the water extracts were investigated using in vitro and in vivo methods. Free radical scavenging activity (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH* assay), iron(III) reductive activity (reducing power activity assay), capacity of inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation (ferric thiocyanate and thiobarbituric acid method), anti-nociceptive activity (p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test), and anti-inflammatory activity (carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model) were used to determine biological activities of the extracts. In addition, the contents of total phenolics, flavonoids, and flavonols in the extracts were determined by spectrophotometrical methods. Results were compared with those of ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene, and gallic acid as reference antioxidants. The extracts of fresh, brined, and nonbrined leaves showed almost the same activity in all antioxidant assays. These extracts inhibited the oxidation of linoleic acid to the same extent as BHT. Compositions of the extracts were analyzed by a reverse phase HPLC-PDA method. The occurrence of hydroxycinnamic acids (e.g., caffeic acid) and flavonoids (e.g., quercetin) was verified in the extracts. The content of total flavonoids as well as quercetin was increased by fermentation.

Flavonoids with anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity from Cistus laurifolius L. leaves through bioassay-guided procedures.

Extracts obtained from the leaves and branches of various Cistus species have been used worldwide as folk remedy for the treatment of various inflammatory ailments including rheumatism and renal inflammations. Effects of the extracts and fractions from the leaves with non-woody branches of Cistus laurifolius L. (Cistaceae) were studied using two in vivo models of inflammation in mice. Model one was based on observed potent inhibitory activity against carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema and the second model used was acetic acid-induced, increased vascular permeability model. Through bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation procedures three flavonoids; 3-O-methylquercetin (1), 3,7-O-dimethylquercetin (2) and 3,7-O-dimethylkaempferol (3) were isolated as the main active ingredients from the ethanol extract. Later on, these flavonoids were shown to possess potent antinociceptive activity, which was assessed through inhibition of p-benzoquinone-induced writhing reflex. Results of the present study have clearly supported the utilization of Cistus laurifolius in Turkish traditional medicine. Subsequently, three flavonoids were shown to have strong antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities, per os without inducing any apparent acute toxicity as well as gastric damage.

Clematis vitalba L. aerial part exhibits potent anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antipyretic effects.

Extracts obtained from the dried aerial parts of Clematis species are used as folk remedy worldwide for the treatment of various inflammatory ailments such as rheumatism and to reduce fever. In order to test the effectiveness of extracts, fractions and subfractions from dried Clematis vitalba L. (Ranunculaceae) aerial parts were studied on mice. Extracts are shown to have a potent effect on carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and acetic acid-induced increased vascular permeability models. Through bioassay-guided fractionation procedures a new C-glycosylflavon, 4'-O-coumaroyl-isovitexine (vitalboside) was isolated as the main active ingredient of the aerial parts. Vitalboside showed a potent and dose-dependent (in 75 and 150 mg/kg does, per os) in vivo anti-inflammatory activity against acute (carrageenan-, serotonin- and PGE(2)-induced hind paw edema model, castor oil-induced diarrhea), subacute (subcutaneous air-pouch) and chronic (Freund's complete adjuvant-induced arthritis) models of inflammation. The same compound was also isolated as the main antinociceptive principle which was assessed by using the models based on the inhibition of p-benzoquinone-induced writhings, as well as antipyretic activity against Freund's complete adjuvant-induced increased body temperature. Acute and subchronic toxicity studies were also performed.

Assessment of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Daphne pontica L. (Thymelaeaceae).

The n-hexane, diethylether, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts from roots, leaves, stems and flowers with young leaves of Daphne pontica L. (Thymelaeaceae) were investigated for their in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. For the anti-inflammatory activity assessment, carrageenan-induced hind paw edema, PGE(2)-induced hind paw edema and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear edema models and for the antinociceptive activity, p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test were used. Only ethyl acetate extracts of the roots showed significant anti-inflammatory activity on carrageenan-induced (22.7-32.0% inhibition) and PGE(2)-induced hind paw edema (3.2-27.3% inhibition) as well as 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear edema (47.8-43.3% inhibition) models at 50 mg/kg dose without inducing any apparent gastric lesion or acute toxicity, whereas the other extracts were shown to be ineffective. In addition to roots, ethyl acetate extracts of the stems exhibited 19.5-29.9%; 5.3-23.9%; 36.6-28.1% inhibition on carrageenan-induced and PGE(2)-induced hind paw edema as well as 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear edema models, respectively. On the other hand, none of the extracts showed any significant antinociceptive activity.

Appraisal of anti-inflammatory potential of the clubmoss, Lycopodium clavatum L.

Studies on four extracts prepared with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol as well as the alkaloid fraction from the aerial parts of Lycopodium clavatum L. of Turkish origin using acetic acid-induced increase in capillary permeability assessment in mice revealed that only the chloroform extract and the alkaloid fraction displayed marked anti-inflammatory effect at a dose of 500mg/kg having percentage of inhibition 24.3 and 32.1, respectively, as compared to indomethacin, which exhibited 44.6% of inhibition at 10mg/kg dose. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the alkaloid fraction of Lycopodium clavatum revealed that the alkaloidal-type of compounds might possibly be responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of the extract, which supports the folk medicinal utilization of the plant. Gas chromatographic-mass spectrophotometric analysis of the active alkaloid fraction revealed that lycopodine (84.5%) is the major component.

In vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of the crude extract and fractions from Rosa canina L. fruits.

The aqueous and ethanol extracts of Rosa canina L. (Rosaceae) fruits and the fractions prepared from the latter were investigated for their anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities in several in vivo experimental models. The ethanolic extract was shown to possess significant inhibitory activity against inflammatory models (i.e., carrageenan-induced and PGE(1)-induced hind paw edema models, as well as on acetic acid-induced increase in a capillary permeability model) and on a pain model based on the inhibition of p-benzoquinone-induced writhing in mice. Hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, n-butanol and the remaining water fractions were obtained through bioassay-guided fractionation. Ethylacetate and n-butanol fractions displayed potent anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities at a dose of 919 mg/kg without inducing acute toxicity. Further attempts to isolate and define the active constituent(s) were inconclusive, possibly due to the synergistic interaction of components in the extract.

Bioassay-guided isolation of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive glycoterpenoids from the flowers of Verbascum lasianthum Boiss. ex Bentham.

Infusions of Verbascumlasianthum flowers have been used for hemorrhoids in Turkish folk medicine. In order to evaluate the scientific basis for this practice, in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Verbascum lasianthum Boiss. ex Bentham flowers were investigated. A methanolic extract of the flowers was shown to possess significant inhibitory activity in the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model and in p-benzoquinone-induced writhings in mice. Through bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation procedures eight compounds, 6-O-(4'''-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosylaucubin (1), 6-O-(4'''-O-trans-p-methoxycinnamoyl)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosylaucubin (2), sinuatol (3), aucubin (4), geniposidic acid (5), catalpol (6), ajugol (7) and ilwensisaponin A (8) were isolated and their structures were elucidated by spectral techniques. An iridoid glucoside, aucubin (4) and a triterpenoid saponin, ilwensisaponin A (8) were found to possess significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities, per os without inducing any apparent acute toxicity or gastric damage. Results of the present study support the continued and expanded utilization of plants employed in Turkish folk medicine.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive activities and composition of Lythrum salicaria L. extracts.

Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife) known as "Tibbi hevhulma" in Turkish is used for its several beneficial health effects against as diarrhea, chronic intestinal catarrh, hemorrhoid and eczema in the form of a decoction or a fluid extract and to treat varicose veins, bleeding of the gums, hemorrhoid and eczema, externally. Dried herbal parts of Lythrum salicaria L. (Lythraceae) were sequentially extracted with different solvents such as petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol and 50% aqueous methanol. Water extract of Lythrum salicaria was also prepared under reflux. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of all the extracts were investigated using in vitro and in vivo methods, respectively. Free radical scavenging activity (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH* assay), iron(III) reductive activity, capacity of the inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation and MDA formation, anti-nociceptive activity (p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test) and anti-inflammatory activity (carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model) were used for all the extracts. In addition, the content of total phenolics, flavonoids and flavonols in all the extracts were determined with spectrophotometric methods. Results were compared with reference antioxidants via ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene, and gallic acid. Qualitative and quantitative compositions of all the extracts were analysed using a HPLC-PDA system. Polar fractions were found to be rich in flavonoids such as isovitexin and isoorientin.

Phenolic compounds of Sideritis ozturkii and their in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities.

Acetone extract from aerial parts of Sideritis ozturkii Aytaç & Aksoy and its fractions were investigated for its in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. For the anti-inflammatory activity assessment, carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and for the antinociceptive activity, p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction tests were used. Acetone extract of the plant and its phenolic fraction were found to possess significant inhibitory activity on these in vivo models in mice. Ozturkoside A (chrysoeriol 7-O-[2'''-O-caffeoyl-6'''-O-acetyl-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-d-glucopyranoside]); ozturkoside B (chrysoeriol 7-O-[2'''-O-caffeoyl-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-d-glucopyranoside]); and ozturkoside C (chrysoeriol 7-O-[2'''-O-p-coumaroyl-6'''-O-acetyl-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-d-glucopyranoside]) were isolated from the active phenolic fraction. The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques (UV, IR, 1D- and 2D-NMR, MS). Ozturkoside C showed notable antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities without inducing any apparent acute toxicity or gastric damage. Although the activity of ozturkosides A and B were found insignificant in statistical analysis, some inhibitory effect was observed. Accordingly, it is suggested that these components in phenolic fraction might possibly share the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities together.

Estimation of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity on Geranium pratense subsp. finitimum and its phenolic compounds.

To obtain experimental evidence on the therapeutic efficacy of Geranium species and its phenolic compounds for inflammatory diseases, we examined the effects of the aqueous extract of the aerial parts of Geranium pratense subsp. finitimum (Woronow) Knuth, its fractions and isolated compounds, the mixture of quercetin 3-O-alpha-arabinopyranoside, kaempferol 3-O-beta-galactopyranoside (1), the mixture of quercetin 3-O-beta-glucopyranoside, quercetin 3-O-beta-galactopyranoside (2), kaempferol 3-O-beta-glucopyranoside (3), (-)-6-chloroepicatechin (4), the mixture of quercetin 3-O-(2''-O-galloyl)-beta-glucopyranoside, quercetin 3-O-(2''-O-galloyl)-beta-galactopyranoside (5) and myricetin 3-O-(2''-O-galloyl)-beta-glucopyranoside (6), on carrageenan-, PGE(2)- and TPA-induced inflammation in mice and p-benzoquinone-induced writhing reflex to assess anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. The effective dose of materials for the inhibition of carragenan-induced hind paw edema assay was determined to be 100 mg/kg, which was also used in the assays with the extract, its fractions and isolated compounds in all other experiments. The aqueous extract, 1, 2 (100 mg/kg), as well as indomethacin (10 mg/kg) inhibited significantly the formation of the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema. There was also a significant reduction in PGE(2)-induced hind paw edema and TPA-induced ear edema models with 5, in addition to the aqueous extract and the other active components 1 and 2. In the antinociceptive assay, the aqueous extract and its fractions, as well as 1, 2, and 5 diminished significantly the number of writhings. Based on the results obtained it is suggested that the aqueous extract of Geranium pratense subsp. finitimum and its phenolic compounds display anti-inflammatory activity, supporting the folkloric use.

Analgesic and antiinflammatory activities of some new Mannich bases of 5-nitro-2-benzoxazolinones.

In this study, the synthesis of a novel series Mannich bases of 5-nitro-3-substituted piperazino-methyl-2-benzoxazolinones are described. The structures attributed to compounds 3a-3k were elucidated using IR, 1H-NMR spectroscopic techniques besides elemental analysis. The compounds were examined for their in vivo antiinflammatory and analgesic activities in two different bioassays, namely, carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction tests in mice, respectively. In addition, the ulcerogenic effects of the compounds were determined. Among the tested derivatives most promising results were obtained for the compounds bearing electron-withdrawing substituents (F, Cl, COCH3) in the ortho/para position of the phenyl nucleus on the piperazine ring at 3 position of benzoxazolinone moiety (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3h). The analgesic activities of all compounds are higher than their antiinflammatory activities. Antiinflammatory inhibitory ratios for all compounds were above 30% for the last two measurements. Because of this compounds 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d deserve attention and may be considered for further evaluation.

In vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity evaluation of phenolic compounds from Sideritis stricta.

An acetone extract obtained from aerial parts of S. stricta Boiss. & Heldr. apud Bentham, its fractions and phenolic compounds were investigated for their in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. For the anti-inflammatory activity and for the antinociceptive activity assessment, carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction tests were used, respectively. The acetone extract of the plant and its phenolic fraction exhibited potent inhibitory activity against both bioassay models in mice. From the active phenolic fraction a well-known phenylethanoid glycoside, verbascoside (acteoside) (1), and two flavonoid glycosides, isoscutellarein 7-O-[6"'-O-acetyl-beta-D-allopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2) and isoscutellarein 7-O-[6"'-O-acetyl-beta-D-allopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-6"-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), were isolated. During phytochemical studies we also isolated a methoxyflavone, xanthomicrol (4), from the non-polar fraction. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by spectroscopic evidence (UV, IR, 1D- and 2D-NMR, MS). Although antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the phenolic components were found not significant in the statistical analysis, compounds 1 to 3 showed a notable activity without inducing any apparent acute toxicity as well as gastric damage. Furthermore, a mixture of flavonoid glycosides (2 + 3) exhibited a significant inhibitory effect in both models at a higher dose.

Biological activity and composition of the essential oils of Achillea schischkinii Sosn. and Achillea aleppica DC. subsp. aleppica.

The essential oils obtained by water distillation from aerial parts of Achillea schischkinii Sosn. and Achillea aleppica DC. subsp. aleppica were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. 1,8-Cineole (32.5 and 26.1%, respectively) was the main component in both oils. The oil of A. aleppica subsp. aleppica was also found to be rich in bisabolol and its derivates. When tested for their antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, and antinociceptive activities, the oil of A. aleppica subsp. aleppica showed significant antiinflammatory, antinociceptive, and moderate antimicrobial activities.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Seseli L. species (Apiaceae) growing in Turkey.

The ethyl acetate and methanol (80%) extracts obtained from 10 Seseli L. species (Apiaceae) growing in Turkey, Seseli andronakii Woron., Seseli campestre Besser, Seseli gummiferum Pall. ex Sm. subsp. corymbosum (Boiss. and Heldr.) P.H. Davis, Seseli gummiferum Pall. ex Sm. subsp. gummiferum, Seseli hartvigii Parolly and Nordt, Seseli libanotis (L.) W. Koch, Seseli petraeum M. Bieb., Seseli peucedanoides (Bieb.) Koso-Pol., Seseli resinosum Freyn and Sint., Seseli tortuosum L. were evaluated for their in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. For the preliminary screening of anti-inflammatory activity, carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and for the antinociceptive activity, p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test were used. Among the plant extracts, the ethyl acetate extracts from Seseli andronakii, Seseli campestre, Seseli gummiferum subsp. corymbosum, Seseli petraeum, Seseli resinosum and Seseli tortuosum showed 30.1, 32.3, 36.9, 39.8, 35.1, 37.6% inhibition in p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test, respectively. The ethyl acetate extracts of Seseli gummiferum subsp. corymbosum, Seseli petraeum, Seseli resinosum and Seseli tortuosum also exhibited notable inhibition, ranging between 24.5-29.7, 28.1-33.3, 17.4-27.5 and 27.9-31.3%, respectively, in carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model at 100 mg/kg dose without inducing any gastric damage, quite comparable to indomethacin (41.8-44.8% inhibition) as a reference sample. During the acute toxicity evaluation, neither death nor gastric bleeding was observed for any of the plant extracts. Results have supported the traditional use of some Seseli species against inflammatory disorders. Further studies are warranted to define and isolate the active anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive components from the active species which may yield safe and effective agents to be used in current treatments.

Evaluation of some plants used in Turkish folk medicine against parasitic infections for their in vivo anthelmintic activity.

Ethanolic and aqueous extracts obtained from nine plant species from seven families selected depending on their use in Turkish folk medicine, including Citrillus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. (seed), Jasminum fruticans L. (branches), Juniperus drupacea Labill. (fruits), Juniperus nana L. (fruit and leaves), Juniperus oxcycedrus L (fruit and leaves), Mentha longifolia L. (herba), Pinus nigra ssp. pallasiana (Lamb.) Richt. (fruits), Plantago lanceolata L. (leaves), and Zea mays L. (seed) were evaluated for their in vivo anthelmintic activity. Among the plant extracts studied, both ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Jasminum fruticans, Mentha longifolia and Pinus nigra ssp. pallasiana, the aqueous extracts of Zea mays, the ethanolic extracts of Citrillus lanatus, Juniperus drupacea (fruit), Juniperus oxcycedrus and Plantago lanceolata displayed significant anthelmintic activity against pinworms, Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera, in mice. Rest of the extracts from plants did not show any remarkable anthelmintic activity. The results were considered significant at p<0.05.

Effect of Cistus laurifolius L. leaf extracts and flavonoids on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.

In this study, the effect of the flavonoids quercetin-3-methyl-ether (isorhamnetin) (1), quercetin-3,7-dimethyl-ether (2) and kaempferol-3,7-dimethyl-ether (3) isolated from Cistus laurifolius L. (cistaceae) leaves was assessed on lipid peroxidation (liver and plasma), cellular glutathione (GSH) level and plasma AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase) enzyme activities in acetaminophen-induced liver damage in mice. At 114 mg/kg oral dose quercetin-3,7-dimethyl-ether was shown to possess potent antioxidative activity.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive potential of Maclura pomifera (Rafin.) Schneider fruit extracts and its major isoflavonoids, scandenone and auriculasin.

The aqueous, ethanolic and chloroform extracts and two prenylated isoflavones: scandenone (I) and auriculasin (II), isolated from the fruits of Maclura pomifera (Rafin.) Schneider, were investigated for their in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity. For the anti-inflammatory activity, both carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear edema models and for the antinociceptive activity, p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test were used. Scandenone, the chloroform and the ethanolic extracts were shown to possess antinociceptive activity and anti-inflammatory activity on carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model at 100 mg/kg dose. The same compound and the extract were also found to be highly active in (TPA)-induced mouse ear edema model whereas auriculasin and the H(2)O extract showed to be inactive in all of the assays.

Comparative evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of Turkish Eryngium species.

Extracts obtained from the root and aerial parts of various Eryngium (Apiaceae) species are used as folk remedy worldwide for the treatment of various inflammatory disorders. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts obtained from either aerial parts or roots of eight Eryngium species growing in Turkey, i.e., were evaluated for their in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. Eryngium campestre, Eryngium creticum, Eryngium davisii, Eryngium falcatum, Eryngium isauricum, Eryngium kotschyi, Eryngium maritimum, and Eryngium trisectum. For the antinociceptive activity assessment p-benzoquinone-induced writhing test, and for anti-inflammatory activity carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema and TPA-induced ear oedema tests were employed in mice. According to the results of investigations, except Eryngium falcatum extracts, ethanol extracts either from the aerial parts or roots of Eryngium species showed apparent anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity. In spite of potent activity of the ethanol extract from Eryngium isauricum aerial parts was induced gastric damage. Aerial parts and roots of Eryngium maritimum and Eryngium kotschyi were found to possess most promising activities without including any apparent gastric damage.

Antihypercholesterolaemic and antioxidant activity assessment of some plants used as remedy in Turkish folk medicine.

Ethanolic and aqueous extracts from five plant species used in Turkish traditional medicine were evaluated for in vivo hypercholesterolaemic and antioxidant activities: Agrostemma githago L., Potentilla reptans L., Thymbra spicata var. spicata L., Urtica dioica L. and Viscum album var. album L. We assayed the effects of the administration of plant extracts on serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C, glucose, AST and ALT concentrations in mice fed with cholesterol-rich diet. In addition, plasma TAA, MDA and NO(x) levels in the same animals were assayed. All the aqueous plant extracts did not affect the serum cholesterol concentration. However, the ethanolic extracts of Agrostemma githago, Thymbra spicata and Viscum album decreased the serum cholesterol concentration in the mice fed with high-cholesterol diet without inducing any gastric damage. The ethanolic extracts of Thymbra spicata, Viscum album, Potentilla reptans and Urtica dioica and the aqueous extract of Agrostemma githago increased the serum HDL concentration, whereas the ethanolic extracts of Agrostemma githago, Thymbra spicata, Viscum album and Urtica dioica decreased the serum LDL-C concentration. Thymbra spicata and Viscum album were observed to decrease the serum triglyceride concentration. Among the plant extracts studied, the ethanolic extracts of Thymbra spicata significantly decreased the MDA level in mice. The ethanolic extract of Potentilla reptans increased in NO(x). None of these plants showed statistically prominent activity on plasma TAA. Results of the present study indicated that the ethanolic extracts of Agrostemma githago, Thymbra spicata and Viscum album showed potent hypocholesterolaemic activity in the mice fed with a diet containing high-cholesterol.