Anti-inflammatory effect of Myrtus nivellei Batt & Trab (myrtaceae) methanolic extract

Abstract

This work aims at evaluating the anti-inflammatory activity of an endemic species of the central sahara: Myrtus nivellei Batt & Trab. The methanolic extract of this plant was extracted by Soxhlet apparatus and concentrated under reduced pressure using a rotary evaporator. In the carrageenan-induced paw edema test, five different groups of mice were established and the extract was administered orally in three different doses. The dose of 400 mg/kg was able to reduce significantly the paw edema with a comparable effect to that observed with Diclofenac (positive control). This is the first report to demonstrate a significant anti-inflammatory activity of the methanolic extract prepared from Myrtus nivellei.