Acute and chronic antiinflammatory effects of Hedera colchica in rats.

Hedera helix and Hedera colchica are the members of Araliaceae family. In the present study, we tested the possible antiinflammatory effects of crude (CSE) and purified (SPE) extracts of Hedera colchica in carrageenan- and cotton pellet-induced acute and chronic inflammation models in rats. Both CSE and SPE of Hedera colchica were found to have antiinflammatory effects. The most potent drug was found as indomethacin (90%) in the 4 h measurements, while SPE (83%) and CSE (55%) of Hedera colchica in 100 mg/kg doses were found to have quite potent effects in acute phase of inflammation, in respect to control values. For testing chronic antiinflammatory (antiproliferative) effects, cotton pellet granuloma test was conducted. SPE was found as the most potent drug in chronic phase of inflammation with an effect of 64.32%. Indomethacin was found more potent than the CSE of Hedera colchica, and potency was found as 61.2 and 58%, respectively.