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

J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Jan 3;109(1):146-50. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2006.07.018. Epub 2006 Jul 21.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetic Acid / pharmacology
  • Alkaloids / chemistry
  • Alkaloids / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Capillary Permeability / drug effects
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Coloring Agents
  • Evans Blue
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Indomethacin / pharmacology
  • Lycopodium / chemistry*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Turkey

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Coloring Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Evans Blue
  • Acetic Acid
  • Indomethacin