Anti-inflammatory activity of Urera baccifera (Urticaceae) in Sprague-Dawley rats

On a preliminary test, anti-inflammatory and analgesic dose-related activit ies on rats were observed for the aqueous fraction of Urera baccifera; this extract was bioassay-guided fractionated and the final aqueous fraction wa s used according the ethnobotanical use. Carrageenan-induced edema (n=6), w as used as an assay in the fractionating process. The anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of the final aqueous fraction were studied usin g in vivo models. For the anti-inflammatory activity rat paw edema (n=6), p leurisy induced by carrageenan (n=6) and ear edema induced by topical croto n oil (n=6) models were used, and tail-flick test (n=6), abdominal constric tions induced by acetic acid (n=6), and formalin test (n=6), were used for the antinociceptive activity. The tests performed showed an inhibition effe ct on leukocyte migration, and a reduction on pleural exudate, as well as d ose-dependant peripheral analgesic activity, at a range of 25-100 mg/kg i.p . The final aqueous fraction contains most of the anti-inflammatory activit y of the plant U. baccifera. A possible mechanism of action is discussed an d based on the results we conclude that this plant has a potential for both anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity at the clinical level.