In vivo and in vitro evaluation of the therapeutic potential of some Turkish Scorzonera species as wound healing agent.

Wound healing and anti-inflammatory effects of aerial parts and roots of S. acuminata, S. cana var. alpina, S. cana var. jacquiniana, S. cana var. radicosa, S. eriophora, S. laciniata ssp. laciniata, S. suberosa ssp. suberosa and S. sublanata were investigated in current study to clarify the traditional usage of Scorzonera species growing in Turkey. It is well known that some species of the Scorzonera genus are used for wound healing in Turkish and European traditional medicine. Therefore, wound healing effect of the plants was assessed by using linear incision and circular excision experimental wound models and subsequently histopathological analysis. Hydroxyproline content of the treated tissues was also assessed. Furthermore, the extracts were screened for anti-hyaluronidase activity. For the evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity, acetic acid-induced increase in capillary permeability test was used. 20% aqueous methanol extracts of the aerial parts of Scorzonera species, S. cana var. jacquiniana and S. eriophora were found to be effective on the wound and anti-inflammatory activity test models. The results of histopathological examination supported the outcome of linear incision and circular excision wound models. Phytochemical analyses of the tested extracts were also performed by using developed and validated HPLC method. Among the tested standard compounds, varying amounts of the chlorogenic acid, rutin, hyperoside and luteolin-7-glycoside were determined in Scorzonera species.

Ethnopharmacological evaluation of some Scorzonera species: in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Scorzonera species are mainly used against inflammation and to relieve pain in Turkish traditional medicine. Therefore, we aimed to assess in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the aerial part and root extracts of Scorzonera acuminata, Scorzonera cana var. alpina, Scorzonera cana var. jacquiniana, Scorzonera cana var. radicosa, Scorzonera cinerea, Scorzonera eriophora, Scorzonera incisa, Scorzonera laciniata ssp. laciniata, Scorzonera parviflora and Scorzonera sublanata. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the anti-inflammatory activity evaluation carrageenan, PGE(2) and serotonin-induced hind paw edema and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear edema models were used. p-Benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test was employed in mice for the assessment of antinociceptive activity. Furthermore chemical composition of the tested extracts was investigated qualitatively and quantitatively by using RP-HPLC method. Some phenolic acids and flavonoids were used as standards. RESULTS: Extracts prepared from the aerial parts of Scorzonera cana var. jacquiniana, Scorzonera cinerea, Scorzonera eriophora, Scorzonera incisa and Scorzonera parviflora showed significant inhibitory effect on carrageenan and PGE(2)-induced hind paw edema model as well as on p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test. The extracts did not show any remarkable activity on serotonin-induced hind paw edema and TPA-induced mouse ear edema models. Chlorogenic acid was detected as major compounds in all the species investigated. Additionally, among the tested flavonoids, luteolin-7-glucoside, hyperoside and rutin were found to be in different amounts in Scorzonera species. CONCLUSION: The experimental data revealed that Scorzonera cana var. jacquiniana, Scorzonera cinerea, Scorzonera eriophora, Scorzonera incisa and Scorzonera parviflora possess significant anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity. It has been suggested that flavonoids and chlorogenic acid are partly responsible for mentioned activities of Scorzonera species.