Anti-inflammatory and sedative activities of Peperomia galioides: in vivo studies in mice.

Aerial parts (leaves, flowers, stem) of Peperomia galioides extract administered to mice, was used to confirm its anti-inflammatory and sedative folk uses. The anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by croton oil-induced ear oedema and myeloperoxidase (acute inflammation); cotton pellet-induced granuloma (sub-acute inflammation) and Escherichia coli Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation (cellular mediators). The sedative activity was studied by the pentobarbital-induced sleeping time test. Single doses (300 and 600 mg/kg; i.p.) of the extract reduced croton oil-induced ear oedema and myeloperoxidase activity. Six days administration of the extract (300 mg/kg, i.p.) to mice implanted with cotton pellets diminished granuloma formation. LPS (20 mg/kg, i.p.) enhanced plasma nitrites and TNF-α levels that were inhibited by the extract. The duration but not the onset of sleeping time was enhanced by 300 and 600 mg/kg of the extract. Our results show that P. galioides has anti-inflammatory and sedative activities in mice, which validates its traditional use.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of the methanolic extract from Jungia rugosa leaves in rodents.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Jungia rugosa Less (Asteraceae), popularly known in Ecuador as "Carne humana" or "Fompo", is a vine present into the Andean region. It is traditionally used as medicine for the treatment of bruises, cuts and other external inflammatory processes. This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of J. rugosa leaves extract (JRLE) in rodents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The acute anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by animal models, including croton oil-induced ear oedema in mice, carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats and myeloperoxidase (MPO); the chronic anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by cotton pellet-induced granuloma. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal administration of JRLE (125, 250, 500mg/kg) significantly (p<0.01-0.001) inhibited the croton oil-induced ear oedema and MPO activity in mice; the carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats was significantly (p<0.05) reduced by 500mg/kg. Repeated (6 days) administration of the extract to mice previously implanted with cotton pellets reduced the formed granuloma (125mg/kg: 11.7%; 250mg/kg: 17.9%; 500mg/kg: 32.4%) but only the inhibition by 500mg/kg reached statistical significance (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that JRLE is effective as an anti-inflammatory agent in acute and chronic inflammation in mice, supporting its traditional use.