The present study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of marine sponges of the genus Neopetrosia which are abundant in the Colombian Caribbean. We obtained three fractions from a total methanolic extract of Neopetrosia rosariensis and proxima. In vivo activity was measured using λ-carrageenan-induced paw edema assay. The in vitro inhibitory effects were evaluated on myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) and nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- α) production. Total extracts of N. rosariensis and N. proxima (100 mg/Kg) significantly inhibited the paw edema of rats (71.74% and 60.06%, respectively). Dichloromethane and methanol fractions of Neopetrosia sponges reduced MPO activity. Only, dichloromethane fraction of N. rosariensis significantly inhibited NO (66%), PGE2 (30.5%) and TNF-α production (72%). Our results show anti-inflammatory activity in extracts and fractions from species of marine sponges belonging to Neopetrosia genus and open the way for complementary studies to purify and identify active molecules.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire
