Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of β-sitosterol isolated from Nyctanthes arbortristis leaves

Inflammopharmacology. 2012 Aug;20(4):219-24. doi: 10.1007/s10787-011-0110-8. Epub 2011 Dec 30.

Abstract

Nyctanthes arbortristis Linn. (Oleaceae) is one of the well-known Indian medicinal plant. Various extracts of leaves of the plant were screened for analgesic activity by hot plate test and acetic acid-induced writhings and anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan-induced hind paw edema method at the dose of 50 mg/kg, i.p. Petroleum ether extract was found to be most active and hence subjected to activity-guided fractionation. Results showed that β-sitosterol (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.) was responsible for the significant and dose-dependent activity comparable with the standard extract. β-Sitosterol from N. arbortristis leaves might be responsible for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity.

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Chromatography, Thin Layer
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • India
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Oleaceae / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / analysis
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Plants, Medicinal
  • Sitosterols / chemistry
  • Sitosterols / isolation & purification
  • Sitosterols / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Sitosterols
  • gamma-sitosterol