Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Polysaccharide Fraction of Curcuma longa Extract (NR-INF-02).

The aim of the study was to investigate the safety and anti-inflammatory effects of polysaccharide fraction (F1) of Curcuma longa extract (NR-INF-02) in classical rodent models of inflammation. F1 was evaluated for its acute oral toxicity and found to be safe upto 5000 mg/kg body weight in rats. The anti-inflammatory activity of F1 was evaluated in acute (carrageenan - induced paw edema; xylene - induced ear edema) and chronic (cotton pellet - induced granuloma) models of inflammation. The results of the study demonstrated that F1 significantly (p ≤ 0.05) inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema at 1 h and 3 h at doses of 11.25, 22.5 and 45 mg/kg body weight in rats. Also, F1 at doses of 15.75, 31.5 and 63 mg/kg significantly inhibited the xylene induced ear edema in mice. In a chronic model, F1 at 11.25, 22.5 and 45 mg/kg doses produced significant reduction of wet and dry weights of cotton pellets in rats. Overall results indicated that F1 of NR-INF-02 significantly attenuated acute and chronic inflammation in rodent models. This study emphasizes on the importance of Curcuma longa polysaccharide's role in acute and chronic inflammation.

Rapamycin extends murine lifespan but has limited effects on aging.

Aging is a major risk factor for a large number of disorders and functional impairments. Therapeutic targeting of the aging process may therefore represent an innovative strategy in the quest for novel and broadly effective treatments against age-related diseases. The recent report of lifespan extension in mice treated with the FDA-approved mTOR inhibitor rapamycin represented the first demonstration of pharmacological extension of maximal lifespan in mammals. Longevity effects of rapamycin may, however, be due to rapamycin's effects on specific life-limiting pathologies, such as cancers, and it remains unclear if this compound actually slows the rate of aging in mammals. Here, we present results from a comprehensive, large-scale assessment of a wide range of structural and functional aging phenotypes, which we performed to determine whether rapamycin slows the rate of aging in male C57BL/6J mice. While rapamycin did extend lifespan, it ameliorated few studied aging phenotypes. A subset of aging traits appeared to be rescued by rapamycin. Rapamycin, however, had similar effects on many of these traits in young animals, indicating that these effects were not due to a modulation of aging, but rather related to aging-independent drug effects. Therefore, our data largely dissociate rapamycin's longevity effects from effects on aging itself.

Potential anti-inflammatory effect of Leea macrophylla Roxb. leaves: a wild edible plant.

Leea macrophylla (Leeaceae) is a wild edible plant with ethomedicinal importance as anti-inflammatory agent. However, no systematic studies on its anti-inflammatory activity and mechanisms have been reported. Present study was undertaken to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity of methanol extract of L. macrophylla leaves. Phytochemical investigation revealed presence of sterols, triterpenoids and ascorbic acid in extract. Methanol extract inhibited lipopolysaccharide stimulated production of inflammatory mediators viz. prostaglandin E2, tumor necrotic factor-α, interleukin-6 and interleukin-1ß in vitro in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Additionally, the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of this extract was evaluated by using carrageenan induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma assays in experimental rats. Oral administration of extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) exhibited dose dependant inhibition of carrageenan induced inflammation (p<0.05) and the reduction of the granuloma tissue formation (p<0.05-0.01). The extract (100 and 200 mg/kg, orally) exhibited significant central and peripheral analgesic activity in hot-plate test (p<0.01) and acetic acid induced writhing test (p<0.05-0.01) respectively in experimental mice. Treatment with extract (100 and 200 mg/kg, orally) significantly reduced the yeast provoked elevated body temperature (p<0.05-0.01) in experimental rats. These results confirmed the traditional anti-inflammatory indication of L. macrophylla leaves.

A new strategy based on SmRho protein loaded chitosan nanoparticles as a candidate oral vaccine against schistosomiasis.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis is one of the most important neglected tropical diseases and an effective control is unlikely in the absence of improved sanitation and vaccination. A new approach of oral vaccination with alginate coated chitosan nanoparticles appears interesting because their great stability and the ease of target accessibility, besides of chitosan and alginate immunostimulatory properties. Here we propose a candidate vaccine based on the combination of chitosan-based nanoparticles containing the antigen SmRho and coated with sodium alginate. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Our results showed an efficient performance of protein loading of nanoparticles before and after coating with alginate. Characterization of the resulting nanoparticles reported a size around 430 nm and a negative zeta potential. In vitro release studies of protein showed great stability of coated nanoparticles in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). Further in vivo studies was performed with different formulations of chitosan nanoparticles and it showed that oral immunization was not able to induce high levels of antibodies, otherwise intramuscular immunization induced high levels of both subtypes IgG1 and IgG2a SmRho specific antibodies. Mice immunized with nanoparticles associated to CpG showed significant modulation of granuloma reaction. Mice from all groups immunized orally with nanoparticles presented significant levels of protection against infection challenge with S. mansoni worms, suggesting an important role of chitosan in inducing a protective immune response. Finally, mice immunized with nanoparticles associated with the antigen SmRho plus CpG had 38% of the granuloma area reduced and also presented 48% of protection against of S. mansoni infection. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, this results support this new strategy as an efficient delivery system and a potential vaccine against schistosomiasis.

Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the ethanolic extract of Shorea robusta Gaertn. f. resin.

Shorea robusta Gaertn. f. (Sal) is one of the most important traditional Indian medicinal plants. The resin of the plant has been used in the treatment of inflammation in folklore medicine. In the present study, ethanolic extract (70%) of S. robusta resin (SRE) was investigated for its anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities. Acute inflammation was produced by carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and sub-acute by cotton pellet-induced granuloma in male Wistar rats. The antipyretic activity of SRE was studied using Brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. The rats were divided into five groups with five animals in each group. Group I was treated with vehicle i.e. 1% v/v Tween-80 and served as control. Groups II to IV were treated with three different doses of SRE (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg orally). Group V was treated with standard drug etoricoxib (10 mg/kg orally). The anti-inflammatory activity of SRE was assessed by per cent reduction in edema volume of carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and by per cent decrease in granuloma formation in cotton pellet-induced granuloma test. SRE (100 and 300 mg/kg) produced a significant reduction in edema volume and decrease in granulation tissue formation in rats. Significant reduction in pyrexia was observed at all the dose levels of SRE i.e. 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg. The results of the present study demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of S. robusta resin and supported its traditional therapeutic use in painful inflammatory conditions and fever.

A booster vaccine expressing a latency-associated antigen augments BCG induced immunity and confers enhanced protection against tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: In spite of a consistent protection against tuberculosis (TB) in children, Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) fails to provide adequate protection against the disease in adults as well as against reactivation of latent infections or exogenous reinfections. It has been speculated that failure to generate adequate memory T cell response, elicitation of inadequate immune response against latency-associated antigens and inability to impart long-term immunity against M. tuberculosis infections are some of the key factors responsible for the limited efficiency of BCG in controlling TB. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this study, we evaluated the ability of a DNA vaccine expressing α-crystallin--a key latency antigen of M. tuberculosis to boost the BCG induced immunity. 'BCG prime-DNA boost' regimen (B/D) confers robust protection in guinea pigs along with a reduced pathology in comparison to BCG vaccination (1.37 log(10) and 1.96 log(10) fewer bacilli in lungs and spleen, respectively; p<0.01). In addition, B/D regimen also confers enhanced protection in mice. Further, we show that B/D immunization in mice results in a heightened frequency of PPD and antigen specific multi-functional CD4 T cells (3(+)) simultaneously producing interferon (IFN)γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α and interleukin (IL)2. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These results clearly indicate the superiority of α-crystallin based B/D regimen over BCG. Our study, also demonstrates that protection against TB is predictable by an increased frequency of 3(+) Th1 cells with superior effector functions. We anticipate that this study would significantly contribute towards the development of superior booster vaccines for BCG vaccinated individuals. In addition, this regimen can also be expected to reduce the risk of developing active TB due to reactivation of latent infection.

In vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of dried and fermented processed virgin coconut oil.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was carried out to investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of virgin coconut oil (VCO) produced by the Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute (MARDI) using various in vivo models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two types of VCOs, produced via standard drying (VCOA) and fermentation (VCOB) processes were used in this study. Both VCOA and VCOB were serially diluted using 1% Tween 80 to concentrations (v/v) of 10, 50 and 100%. Antinociceptive and anti- inflammatory activities of both VCOs were examined using various in vivo model systems. The antinociceptive activity of the VCOs were compared to those of 1% Tween 80 (used as a negative control), morphine (5 mg/kg) and/or acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg/kg). RESULTS: Both VCOA and VCOB exhibited significant (p < 0.05) dose-dependent antinociceptive activity in the acetic acid-induced writhing test. Both VCOs also exerted significant (p < 0.05) antinociceptive activity in both phases of the formalin and hot-plate tests. Interestingly, the VCOs exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in an acute (carrageenan-induced paw edema test), but not in a chronic (cotton-pellet-induced granuloma test) model of inflammation. CONCLUSION: The MARDI-produced VCOs possessed antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. Further studies are needed to confirm these observations.

Anti-inflammatory activity of a polyphenolic enriched extract of Schima wallichii bark.

In the present investigation, the anti-inflammatory activity of a polyphenolic enriched extract of Schima wallichii bark was evaluated in vitro using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in vivo by carrageenan-induced paw oedema assay (acute study) and cotton pallet granuloma assay (chronic study). The extract exhibited significant inhibition of the production of tumour necrotic factor-α and interleukin-6 by PBMCs stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in a concentration-dependent manner. The extract at the selected doses of 150 and 300 mg kg(-1) body weight p.o. exhibited significant dose-dependent anti-inflammatory responses, with 44.32 and 38.65% inhibition of inflammation in carrageenan-induced paw oedema and cotton pallet granuloma, respectively.

Silymarin treatment reduces granuloma and hepatic fibrosis in experimental schistosomiasis.

The schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection with relevant social impact and an important health problem in many countries around world. The pathology of this infection is characterized by a granulomatous reaction around parasite eggs and by hepatic fibrosis. Silymarin, a complex compound isolated from Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertner, have been described as hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antifibrotic, immunomodulator, and anti-neoplastic agent. Some of these capacities could potentially protect against pathology in schistosomiasis. Herein, we evaluated the effects of silymarin on parasite burden, granuloma sizes, and liver fibrosis, which are associated with severity and morbidity of this disease. BALB/c mice treated intraperitoneally with 10, 20, or 25 doses of silymarin (10 mg kg(-1)) suspended in carboxymethylcellulose were analyzed at 55 days post-infection. Silymarin (1) did not affect parasite oviposition capacity; (2) reduced granulomatous peri-ovular reaction in the liver, and (3) decreased hepatic fibrosis in this infection. Taken together, these data suggest that treatment with silymarin at acute phase of schistosomiasis may result in a mild course of murine schistosomiasis and can be a promising complementary treatment reverting sequelae of this infection.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Stereospermum suaveolens ethanol extract in rats.

The anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanol extract of Stereospermum suaveolens (Roxb.) DC (Bignoniaceae) bark given orally at the dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight was studied in rats using the carrageenan-, dextran-, and histamine-induced hind paw edema, and cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation models. Indomethcin at the dose of 10 mg/kg body weight was used as a standard drug. The extract (400 mg/kg body weight per os) showed maximum inhibition of edema 64.6, 53.48, and 50.06% at the end of 3 h with carrageenan-, dextran-, and histamine-induced rat paw edema, respectively. The extract (400 mg/kg) exhibited significant reduction (34.77%) in granuloma weight in the cotton pellet-induced granuloma model. From these results it could be concluded that, the ethanol extract of Stereospermum suaveolens possesses maximum anti-inflammatory activity in a dose-dependent manner, in various experimental models.

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities of virgin coconut oil.

This study investigated some pharmacological properties of virgin coconut oil (VCO), the natural pure oil from coconut [Cocos nucifera Linn (Palmae)] milk, which was prepared without using chemical or high-heat treatment. The anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects of VCO were assessed. In acute inflammatory models, VCO showed moderate anti-inflammatory effects on ethyl phenylpropiolate-induced ear edema in rats, and carrageenin- and arachidonic acid-induced paw edema. VCO exhibited an inhibitory effect on chronic inflammation by reducing the transudative weight, granuloma formation, and serum alkaline phosphatase activity. VCO also showed a moderate analgesic effect on the acetic acid-induced writhing response as well as an antipyretic effect in yeast-induced hyperthermia. The results obtained suggest anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties of VCO.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Acacia visco extracts in animal models.

The aqueous and organic extracts of Acacia visco Lor. Ap Griseb (Fabaceae) were tested for anti-inflammatory activity in experimental models in rat. Besides, the free-radical scavenging capacity of extracts from A. visco was determined. The extracts revealed anti-inflammatory effect against carrageenan-induced oedema, phospholipase A(2)-induced oedema, cotton pellet-induced granuloma and they did not show acute toxic effect. Among the class of compounds characterized from A. visco leaves, the triterpenoid 20(29)-lupen-3ß-ol (lupeol), 12-ursen-3ß-ol (α-amyrin) and 12-oleanen-3ß-ol (ß-amyrin) may be mainly responsible for the pharmacological activities.

The effect of the aqueous extract of Helietta parvifolia A. Gray (Rutaceae) stem bark on carrageenan-induced paw oedema and granuloma tissue formation in mice.

AIMS OF STUDY: Despite the ethnopharmacological relevance of Helietta parvifolia A. Gray (Rutaceae) in Mexico, we found no significant pharmacological studies of this plant in the scientific literature. The aim of the present study was to establish the anti-inflammatory effect of an aqueous extract of the stem bark of Helietta parvifolia in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous extract of the stem bark of Helietta parvifolia was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw oedema in mice, and the cotton pellet granuloma method. RESULTS: An extract dose ranging from 20 to 80 mg/kg p.o. showed a non-significant effect over the initial phase of carrageenan-induced oedema. However, it showed a significant inhibition of oedema after 3h, which can be related to the inhibition of the release of kinin-like substances. An ID(50) value of 47.4 mg/kg was obtained for the plant extract. The extract also suppressed granulomatous tissue formation during chronic inflammation. The inhibitory values were 19.2, and 22.2, corresponding to 40 and 80 mg/kg doses of extract respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Aqueous extract showed a statistically significant anti-inflammatory effect in mice during the late phase of acute inflammation and during chronic inflammation. However, the exact mechanism(s) of anti-inflammatory effects of Helietta parvifolia observed in this study remains unclear.

Anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous and alkaline extracts from mushrooms (Agaricus blazei Murill).

The effects of aqueous and alkaline extracts from Agaricus blazei Murill, an edible mushroom used as folk medicine in Brazil, Japan, and China to treat several illnesses, were investigated on the basis of the inflammatory process induced by different agents. Oral administration of A. blazei extracts marginally inhibited the edema induced by nystatin. In contrast, when complete Freund's adjuvant was used as the inflammatory stimulus, both extracts were able to inhibit this process significantly (P < .05, analysis of variance followed by Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison post hoc test), although it inhibited the granulomatous tissue induction moderately. These extracts were able to decrease the ulcer wounds induced by stress. Also, administration of extracts inhibited neutrophil migration to the exudates present in the peritoneal cavity after carrageenin injection. Therefore, it is possible that A. blazei extracts can be useful in inflammatory diseases because of activation of the immune system and its cells induced by the presence of polysaccharides such as beta-glucans.

Studies on the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of Parquetina nigrescens leaf extract.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Parquetina nigrescens is a shrub that is commonly used in different parts of West Africa for the treatment of several ailments which includes pain, fever and inflammatory conditions. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was designed to investigate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of the aqueous extract of Parquetina nigrescens leaves in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five groups were used for each study, groups 1 and 5 served as control (saline) and reference (indomethacine) respectively, while groups 2-4 received the extract (50-200 mg/kg) orally. Formalin paw licking and hot plate latency tests were used for analgesic studies. Carrageenan oedema, cotton pellet granuloma and formaldehyde arthritis models were used to quantify the anti-inflammatory activities while the brewer's yeast was used for inducing pyrexia. RESULTS: The results of the analgesic study show that the extract produced significant (p<0.05) analgesia in the hot plate and in the formalin tests. In the anti-inflammatory study, Parquetina nigrescens produced significant (p<0.05) inhibition of the various types of inflammation. The extract also inhibited the pyrexia induced by brewer's yeast. CONCLUSION: The result justifies the traditional uses of Parquetina nigrescens for the treatment of fever, inflammatory and painful conditions.

Anti-inflammatory activity of polysaccharide from Pholiota nameko.

Pholiota nameko polysaccharide (PNPS-1) has been isolated and purified by enzymatic hydrolysis, hot water extraction, ethanol precipitation, and ion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. The anti-inflammatory activity of PNPS-1 was evaluated in rodents using xylene-induced ear edema, egg albumin-, carrageenin-, and formaldehyde-induced paw edema, cotton pellet granuloma test, adhesion of peritoneal leukocytes in vitro, and ulcerogenic activity. The results showed that PNPS-1 (5 mg/ear) inhibited topical edema in the mouse ear and at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg (intraperitoneally) it significantly suppressed the development of egg albumin-, carrageenin-, and formaldehyde-induced paw edema in the animals. PNPS-1 (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, per oral) significantly inhibited the growth of granuloma tissues induced by subcutaneously implanted cotton pellets in rats by 10.96, 18.07, and 43.75%, respectively. PNPS-1 also inhibited spontaneous and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-activated adhesion of peritoneal leukocytes in vitro. Further, both acute as well as chronic administration of PNPS-1 (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, per oral) did not produce any gastric lesion in rats. In conclusion, these data indicated that PNPS-1 possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity suggesting its potential as an anti-inflammatory agent for use in the treatment of various inflammatory-related diseases.

Screening for the anti-inflammatory activity of fractions and compounds from Atractylodes macrocephala koidz.

The aim of this study was to screen for the anti-inflammatory activity of fractions and compounds from Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. The rhizomes of Atractylodes macrocephala were treated with supercritical CO(2) fluid and the extract was separated by normal-phase and reverse-phase column chromatography. The separated samples were screened with white blood cell membrane (WBCM) chromatography (WBCM-C). The anti-inflammatory effects of these fractions and components were tested pharmacologically in vivo. The results indicated that the retention characteristics of the petrol-ether (1:1, v/v) fraction (BZC-2) of the supercritical CO(2) extract, the atractylenolide I and 14-acetoxy-12-senecioyloxytetradeca-2E,8E,10E-trien-4, 6-diyn-1-ol isolated from BZC-2 as active fractions and components were similar to that of dexamethasone in WBCM-C. Therefore, they may act on WBCM and its receptors. BZC-2 has shown anti-inflammatory effects in acute and chronic inflammation models in rats and mice. Oral administration of atractylenolide I and 14-acetoxy-12-senecioyloxytetradeca-2E,8E,10E-trien-4,6-diyn-1-ol produced significant anti-inflammatory effects in acute and chronic inflammation models in mice. The screening results with WBCM-C were correlated significantly with pharmacological effects in vivo. Atractylenolide I and 14-acetoxy-12-senecioyloxytetradeca-2E,8E,10E-trien-4,6-diyn-1-ol were the main components of Atractylodes macrocephala that were effective as anti-inflammatory agents.

Rat models of acute inflammation: a randomized controlled study on the effects of homeopathic remedies.

BACKGROUND: One of the cardinal principles of homeopathy is the "law of similarities", according to which patients can be treated by administering substances which, when tested in healthy subjects, cause symptoms that are similar to those presented by the patients themselves. Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the number of pre-clinical (in vitro and animal) studies aimed at evaluating the pharmacological activity or efficacy of some homeopathic remedies under potentially reproducible conditions. However, in addition to some contradictory results, these studies have also highlighted a series of methodological difficulties.The present study was designed to explore the possibility to test in a controlled way the effects of homeopathic remedies on two known experimental models of acute inflammation in the rat. To this aim, the study considered six different remedies indicated by homeopathic practice for this type of symptom in two experimental edema models (carrageenan- and autologous blood-induced edema), using two treatment administration routes (sub-plantar injection and oral administration). METHODS: In a first phase, the different remedies were tested in the four experimental conditions, following a single-blind (measurement) procedure. In a second phase, some of the remedies (in the same and in different dilutions) were tested by oral administration in the carrageenan-induced edema, under double-blind (treatment administration and measurement) and fully randomized conditions. Seven-hundred-twenty male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 170-180 g were used. Six homeopathic remedies (Arnica montana D4, Apis mellifica D4, D30, Atropa belladonna D4, Hamamelis virginiana D4, Lachesis D6, D30, Phosphorus D6, D30), saline and indomethacin were tested. Edema was measured using a water-based plethysmometer, before and at different times after edema induction. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Student t test. RESULTS: In the first phase of experiments, some statistically significant effects of homeopathic remedies (Apis, Lachesis and Phosporus) were observed (the reduction in paw volume increase ranging from 10% to 28% at different times since edema induction). In the second phase of experiments, the effects of homeopathic remedies were not confirmed. On the contrary, the unblinded standard allopathic drug indomethacin exhibited its anti-inflammatory effect in both experimental phases (the reduction in paw volume increase ranging from 14% to 40% in the first phase, and from 18% to 38% in the second phase of experiments). CONCLUSION: The discrepancies between single-blind and double-blind methods in animal pharmacological research are noteworthy and should be better investigated, also in non-homeopathic research.

Antiinflammatory evaluation of leaves of Plumeria acuminata.

BACKGROUND: [corrected] Plumeria acuminata belonging to the family Apocynaceae is commonly known as 'perungalli' in Tamil and is widely distributed throughout the Southern parts of India. In traditional medicinal system different parts of the plant have been mentioned to be useful in a variety of diseases. The plant material is widely used as a purgative, remedy for diarrhoea and cure for itch. The milky juice is employed for the treatment of inflammation and rheumatism. The bark has been reported to be useful in hard tumors, diarrhoea and gonorrhoea. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antiinflammatory activity of methanol extract of leaves of Plumeria acuminata on carrageenan, dextran, histamine and serotonin-induced inflammation in rat hind paw oedema models. METHODS: Acute and chronic inflammation models were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the extract. Wistar albino rats of either sex weighing 180-200 g were used. In acute model carrageenan, dextran, histamine and serotonin models were used to induce inflammation in rat hind paw and cotton pellet-induced granuloma method was used for chronic inflammation model. In each model four groups of six animals were used. In all the models Group I served as control (0.9% normal saline, 5 mlkg(-1) b.w) and group IV as standard (Indomethacin 10 mgkg(-1) b.w). Group II and III received extract at the doses of 250 and 500 mgkg(-1) b.w respectively. RESULTS: The methanol extract of Plumeria acuminata exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity on the tested experimental animal models. The extract (500 mgkg(-1) b.w) exhibited maximum antiinflammatory effect i.e., 30.51, 47.06, 34.48 and 32.50% (P < 0.001) at the end of 3 h with carrageenan, dextran, histamine and serotonin respectively. Administration of MEPA (500 mgkg(-1) b.w) and indomethacin (10 mgkg(-1) b.w) significantly reduced the formation of granuloma tissue induced by cotton pellet method at a rate of 45.06 and 51.57% respectively. The effect produced by the extract was comparable to that of indomethacin a prototype of a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agent. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study indicated that the methanol extract of Plumeria acuminata possess potent antiinflammatory activity in both acute and chronic models.

[The influence of aconitum preparations on the development of chronic inflammation].

Experiments show that ethanol extracts prepared from the above-ground parts of Aconitum baicalensis and the above-ground parts and roots of Aconitum septentrionale L. suppressed the exudative and proliferative stages of model chronic inflammation. Both phytopreparations normalized some biochemical indices of the blood (total protein, seromucoids, firbinogen) altered by the inflammation.