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DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1264912
Anti-inflammatory effect of an ethanol extract from rhizomes of Stahlianthus involucratus in rats
Stahlianthus involucratus (King) Craib ex Loes, a perennial herbaceous plant of the Zingiberaceae family, is widely distributed in Asia [1]. Since no pharmacological and phytochemical studies have been reported, this study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of an ethanol extract from its rhizomes in rats using the ethyl phenylpropiolate (EPP)-induced ear edema model [2] and the carrageenin-induced hind paw edema model [3]. The topical application of the extract (5mg/ear) significantly inhibited EPP-induced ear edema, at all evaluation time points, with comparable percentages of inhibition to those of diclofenac (5mg/ear), the reference nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The extract (75, 150 and 300mg/kg p.o.) as well as diclofenac (10mg/kg p.o.) also significantly inhibited carrageenin-induced hind paw edema, at all evaluation time points. Moreover, the latter effect of the extract appeared to occur in a dose-dependent manner. The present study revealed an anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanolic extract from S. involucratus rhizomes in rats possibly through inhibition of cyclooxygenase similar to diclofenac.
Acknowledgements: This work was supported by the Faculty of Medicine Endowment Fund, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University.
References: 1. Chaveerach, A. et al. (2007) Taiwania 52:315–319.
2. Brattsand, R. et al. (1982)J. Steroid. Biochem. 16:779–786.
3. Winter, C.A. et al. (1962) Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 111:544–547.