LEAF EXTRACTS OF SOME CORDIA SPECIES - ANALGESIC AND ANTIINFLAMMATORYACTIVITIES AS WELL AS THEIR CHROMATOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS

Leaf preparations of several species of Cordia are used in traditional medicine as remedies for osteoarticular diseases. The analgesic, anti -inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities in the rat of different ex tracts of C. francisci, C. martinicensis, C. myxia C. serratifolia and C. ulmifolia leaves were studied. The results obtained showed that th e petroleum ether and alcoholic extracts especially of C. francisci, C . myxa and C. serratifolia leaves have a significant analgesic, anti-i nflammatory and anti-arthritic activity in the rat. The flavonoids and phenolic derivative content of the five species of genus Cordia leave s was investigated by TLC and determined by reversed-phase HPLC with a n acetonitrile/water/acetic acid buffer solvent gradient. UV detection was can-led out at 255 and 280 nm. Four flavonoid glycosides, robinin , rutin, datiscoside and hesperidin, one flavonoid aglycone, dihydroro binetin, two phenolic derivatives, chlorogenic and caffeic acid, were evidenced and determined.