Anti-inflammatory Activity of Butanolic Extract of Albizia lebbeck.

Albizia lebbeck is a tree widely distributed in India and is also found in South Africa, South America and Australia. As in Indian traditional system as folk medicine, this plant is used to treat several inflammatory pathologies such as asthma, arthritis and burns. Study of other species this same genus has demonstrated an anti-inflammatory activity of crude extract, which, in some work has been attributed to the presence of saponins. In order to confirm these findings a study of phytochemical profile was realized and a rich extract in saponins, butanolic extract, was obtained and its anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated through measured by inhibition of carrageenan-induced mouse paw oedema, using dexamethasone as reference compound. The extract exhibited a moderate control of the both phase of inflammation, provoking an inhibition of edema formation. However, the butanolic extract exhibited lesser activity than reference compound dexamethasone. The results obtained suggest a significant antiinflamatory property of the butanolic extract of Albizia lebbeck, justifying the use of this plant in the traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory conditions and confirm their saponins as bioactive product.

Gynura procumbens Merr. decreases blood pressure in rats by vasodilatation via inhibition of calcium channels

INTRODUCTION: Gynura procumbens has been shown to decrease blood pressure via inhibition of the angiotensinconverting enzyme. However, other mechanisms that may contribute to the hypotensive effect have not been studied. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the cardiovascular effects of a butanolic fraction of Gynura procumbens in rats. METHODS: Anaesthetized rats were given intravenous bolus injections of butanolic fraction at doses of 2.5-20 mg/kg in vivo. The effect of butanolic fraction on vascular reactivity was recorded in isolated rat aortic rings in vitro. RESULTS: Intravenous administrations of butanolic fraction elicited significant (p<0.001) and dose-dependent decreases in the mean arterial pressure. However, a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the heart rate was observed only at the higher doses (10 and 20 mg/kg). In isolated preparations of rat aortic rings, phenylephrine (1×10-6 M)- or potassium chloride (8×10-2 M)-precontracted endothelium-intact and -denuded tissue; butanolic fraction (1×10-6-1×10-1 g/ml) induced similar concentration-dependent relaxation of the vessels. In the presence of 2.5×10-3 and 5.0×10-3 g/ml butanolic fraction, the contractions induced by phenylephrine (1×10-9-3×10-5 M) and potassium chloride (1×10-2-8×10-2 M) were significantly antagonized. The calcium-induced vasocontractions (1×10-4-1×10-2 M) were antagonized by butanolic fraction concentration-dependently in calcium-free and high potassium (6×10-2 M) medium, as well as in calcium- and potassium-free medium containing 1×10-6 M phenylephrine. However, the contractions induced by noradrenaline (1×10-6 M) and caffeine (4.5×10-2 M) were not affected by butanolic fraction. CONCLUSION: Butanolic fraction contains putative hypotensive compounds that appear to inhibit calcium influx via receptor-operated and/or voltage-dependent calcium channels to cause vasodilation and a consequent fall in blood pressure.