Chiang Mai Journal of Science

Pseuderanthemum palatiferum (Nees) Radlk. is one of most frequently used medical plants in Thailand for treating a variety of symptoms and several inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to ascertain the anti-inflammatory property of ethanol extract from the leaves of P. palatiferum. The anti-inflammatory activity against acute inflammation was assessed by the ethyl phenylpropiolate (EPP) induced ear edema test and cotton pellet induced granuloma model was used for chronic inflammation in albino rats. It was found that the extract showed significant anti-inflammatory activities against both acute and chronic inflammation as compared to the controls (P <0.05). The extract at low dose used in acute inflammatory test (1 mg/ear) exerted comparable anti-acute inflammatory activity to phenylbutazone (PHBZ), a standard drug, whereas the extract at all doses used in chronic inflammatory test (250, 500 and 750 mg/kgBW) significantly reduced transudative weight and granuloma formation. The extract exhibited its chronic anti-inflammatory effect in a dose dependent manner and the highest dose used had higher capacity than diclofenac, a standard NSAID. Due to the decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels as well as the increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) level detected in chronic inflammation-induced rats, antioxidation was suggested as the mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory capacity of ethanol extract from the leaves of P. palatiferum.