The effects of Arctium lappa L, (root) on anti-inflammatory and free r
adical scavenger activity were investigated. Subcutaneous administrati
on of A. lappa crude extract significantly decreased carrageenan-induc
ed rat paw edema. When simultaneously treated with CCl4, it produced p
ronounced activities against CCl4-induced acute liver damage. The free
radical scavenging activity of its crude extract was also examined by
means of an electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometer. The IC50 of A
. lappa extract on superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenger activity
was 2.06 mg/ml and 11.8 mg/ml, respectively. These findings suggest th
at Arctium lappa possess free radical scavenging activity. The inhibit
ory effects on carrageenan-induced paw edema and CCl4-induced hepatoto
xicity could be due to the scavenging effect of A. lappa.