In vivo and in vitro pharmacological activity of Aristolochia tagala (syn: Aristolochia acuminata) root extracts.

BACKGROUND

Aristolochia tagala Cham. (syn: Aristolochia acuminata Lam.) (Aristolochiaceae), known as Nallayishwari in Telugu, has been of interest to researchers because of its traditional uses for treating rheumatic pains and fever.

OBJECTIVE

The anti-inflammatory activity of the petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and ethanol extracts of A. tagala roots were investigated for the first time.

METHODS

In vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory effects were investigated employing the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in rats and the macrophage cell line RAW264.7 stimulated with proinflammatory stimuli (lipopolysaccharide interferon γ or the calcium ionophore A23187) to determine PGE(2) or LTB(4) release, respectively.

RESULTS

All the extracts exhibited anti-inflammatory effects which were found to be significant (p < 0.001) at 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o, in rats tested and the ethyl acetate extract inhibited the induction of PGE(2) with IC(50) = 39.1 mg mL(-1) and LTB(4) with IC(50) = 29.5 mg mL(-1).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate that the A. tagala roots have excellent anti-inflammatory activity and validate the traditional indications of this plant in its origin country.