Anti-inflammatory and radical scavenging properties of the ethyl acetate fraction from the leaves of Agelanthus dodoneifolius (DC) Polh. & Wiens (Loranthaceae)

Abstract

Introduction: The current research aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory and radical scavenging activities of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction from the leaves of Agelanthus dodoneifolius, a mistletoe belonging to the family of Loranthaceae.

Method: The inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema on NMRI mice was used to demonstrate the EtOAc fraction's in vivo acute anti-inflammatory effect. The anti-inflammatory effect was compared to dexamethasone at 10 mg/kg and rutin at 50 mg/kg. The radical scavenging activity was determined using free radicals of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Moreover, the flavonoid content
was obtained spectrophotometrically using the Neu reagent.

Results: Five hours after the carrageenan administration, the EtOAc fraction reduced the paw edema significantly (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, versus control). No significant (p ˃ 0.05) statistical difference was observed between the fraction at 100 mg/kg and the reference dexamethasone. Similarly, no statistical differences were seen between rutin and the EtOAc fraction at 25 and 50 mg/kg
doses. The EtOAc fraction was potent at scavenging the DPPH radicals with an IC50 value of 22.03 ± 0.94 μg/mL. The flavonoid content was equal to 2.87 g Rutin Equivalent/100 g of the fraction.

Conclusion: The EtOAc fraction showed important anti-inflammatory and radical scavenging effects. These activities could be explained by flavonoids, compounds known to have several pharmacological effects. Further investigations are needed to highlight the mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of the ethyl acetate fraction.