Antiinflammatory and antioxidant activity of plants used in traditional medicine in Ecuador

J Ethnopharmacol. 1998 Jun;61(2):161-6. doi: 10.1016/s0378-8741(98)00029-4.

Abstract

Ethanolic extracts from 15 plant species, representing eight different families, used in traditional medicine in Ecuador were evaluated for antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities. Conyza floribunda, Eupatorium articulatum, Bonafousia longituba, Bonafousia sananho, Tagetes pusilla and Piper lenticellosum extracts showed a significant antiinflammatory activity in vivo in the carrageenan-induced paw oedema model in mice. The extracts were also tested in vitro for their ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation and to scavenge superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. E. articulatum extract possesses both activities. Baccharis trinervis, E. articulatum and Phytolacca rivinoides extracts were active as antioxidants.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Ecuador
  • Edema / chemically induced
  • Edema / prevention & control
  • Ethanol
  • Female
  • Free Radical Scavengers / pharmacology
  • Hydroxyl Radical / metabolism
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Male
  • Medicine, Traditional*
  • Mice
  • Microsomes / drug effects
  • Microsomes / metabolism
  • Microsomes, Liver / drug effects
  • Microsomes, Liver / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Superoxides / metabolism
  • Xanthine Oxidase / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antioxidants
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Plant Extracts
  • Superoxides
  • Hydroxyl Radical
  • Ethanol
  • Xanthine Oxidase