Abstract

OSPINA G, Luis F et al. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF Phenax rugosus (POIR.) WEDD AND Tabebuia chrysanta G. NICHOLSON. Vitae [online]. 2011, vol.18, n.1, pp.49-55. ISSN 0121-4004.

Inflammation is a multifactorial and highly regulated process associated to several chronic and degenerative diseases. Due to the fact that many inflammatory processes are sometimes characterized by oxidative stress, it has been demonstrated that antioxidants are useful as anti-inflammatory agents. Phenax rugosus (Poir.) Wedd and Tabebuia chrysanta G. Nicholson species are used in the Colombian region called ''Eje Cafetero'' due to their antiinfeccious and immunomodulatory properties. In vivo anti-inflammatory and in vitro antioxidant properties of methanolic and aqueous extracts of the previously mentioned plant species were evaluated in this research. Two acute inflammation models were used for such purpose: TPA-induced mouse ear oedema and carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema. In vitro hydroxyl, peroxyl and superoxide scavenging activity of the extracts was evaluated. The aqueous extract of Phenax rugosus was found to be promising due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Results obtained from this research are a support for the ethnopharmacological use of these plant species.

Keywords : Phenax rugosus; Tabebuia chrysantha; reactive oxygen species; inflammation.

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