Evaluation of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities of the ethanol extract from Murdannia loriformis (Hassk.) Rolla Rao et Kammathy

Introduction: Murdannia loriformis (hassk) Rolla Roa et Kammathy, family Commelinaceae, is used by Chinese practitioners as a remedy for cancer in an early stage, and also for treating other diseases including colds, throat infections, pneumonia, diabetes mellitus, flu and inflammation. Although anticancer as well as other pharmacological effects of M. loriformis have been reported, its anti-inflammatory and other activities related to inflammation are still limited. Methods: The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenan- and arachidonic acid-induced paw edema in rats, and cotton pelletinduced granuloma formation in rats. The analgesic and antipyretic activities were determined by formalin test in mice and yeast-induced hyperthermia in rats, respectively. Results: The ethanol extract of the aerial part of M. loriformis exhibited anti-inflammatory activity on the rat paw edema induced by carrageenan and arachidonic acid. It also showed an inhibitory effect on the granuloma and the transudative formation of the rat implanted with cotton pellets as well as lowered the elevated serum alkaline phosphatase activity to normal level. It exerted potent analgesic effect on both the early and late phase of formalin test as well as the antipyretic effect on yeast-induced hyperthermic rats. The oral single high dose of the extract of 5,000 mg/Kg did not produce death or any abnormalities or changes of the internal organs of rats during 14 days of the observed period. Conclusion: The results obtained from this study support the use of the plant in traditional medicine for inflammatory ailment

In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Litsea martabanica Root Extract and Its Hepatoprotective Effect on Chlorpyrifos-Induced Toxicity in Rats

In Thailand, people in the highland communities whose occupational exposure to pesticides used the root of Litsea martabanica as a detoxifying agent. However, the scientific data to support the traditional use of this plant are insufficient. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity and anti-pesticide potential of L. martabanica root extract. Antioxidant properties were investigated by 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, superoxide radicals scavenging assay, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and total phenolic content determination. In all assays, L. martabanica extracts and their fractions exhibited high antioxidant activities differently. The water extract is traditionally used as a detoxifying agent. Therefore, it was chosen for in vivo experiments. The rats received the extract in a way that mimics the traditional methods of tribal communities followed by chlorpyrifos for 16 days. The results showed that acetylcholinesterase activity decreases in pesticide-exposed rats. Treatment with the extract caused increasing acetylcholinesterase activity in the rats. Therefore, L. martabanica extract may potentially be used as a detoxifying agent, especially for the chlorpyrifos pesticide. The antioxidant properties of L. martabanica may provide a beneficial effect by protecting liver cells from damage caused by free radicals. Histopathology results revealed no liver cell necrosis and showed the regeneration of liver cells in the treatment group. L. martabanica extract did not cause changes in behavior, liver weight, hematological and biochemical profiles of the rats