Planta Med 2011; 77 - PF28
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1282416

The aqueous root extract of Aristolochia ringens (Vahl.) prevents chemically induced inflammation

FR Aigbe 1, OO Adeyemi 1
  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, P.M.B. 12003, Idiaraba, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria.

Aristolochia ringens Vahl Aristolochiaceae belongs to a family with many medicinal uses, but also reported toxic (1). Based on its use in traditional medicine, the antiinflammatory activity of the aqueous root extract of Aristolochia ringens (AR) (10–100mg/kg p.o.) was evaluated using the carrageenaan and egg albumin induced rat paw oedema (2), formaldehyde induced arthritic inflammation (3) and xylene induced mouse ear oedema methods (2). AR (10–50mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent decrease in rat paw oedema in the carrageenan and egg albumin induced inflammations at the time intervals studied. The maximum inhibitory effects of AR (50mg/kg), 57.1% and 65.6% in both experiments were comparable to the 57.9% and 63.9% of standard drugs, indomethacin and diclofenac (10mg/kg p.o.) respectively. AR (10–50mg/kg) also dose dependently inhibited the arthritic paw oedema induced by formaldehyde over the 10 day period of study. The maximum inhibition by AR (50mg/kg) (50%) was greater than the 40.8% inhibition by diclofenac (10mg/kg i.p.). AR (10–50mg/kg) also produced a significant (p<0.05) dose dependent inhibition of mouse ear oedema, with a peak effect at 50mg/kg of 84.78%, which was greater than the 65.21% inhibition by dexamethasone (1mg/kg). No mortality was observed in 24 hours, with AR (up to 10g/kg p.o.), but an LD50 of 453mg/kg was obtained with the intraperitoneal route of administration in mice. Results suggest that the aqueous root extract of Aristolochia ringens possesses antiinflammatory activity, inhibiting chemically induced inflammation.

Acknowledgement: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria, Chijioke M.C.

References: 1. Pacheco AG et al. (2009) Molecules 14: 1245–1262. 2. Adeyemi OO et al. (2002) Fitoterapia 73: 375–380. 3. Hosseinzadeh & Younesi (2001) BMC Pharmacol 2: 7–14.