Evaluation of anti-inflammatory potential of 5 ageratum conyzoides (ac) extracts in vivo and in vitro 6 models: confirmation of popular use

Abstract

Ageratum conyzoides (AC), known as “Mentrasto”, is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of several inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of hydroalcoholic, methanol and ethanol extracts of AC. The activity was evaluated using paw oedema induced by carrageenan, ear oedema induced by croton oil and pleurisy methods using carrageenan, bradykinin (BK), histamine (HIS) and substance P (SP) as flogistic agents. AC was effective in reducing paw oedema, the dose of 300mg/kg was the one that best inhibited oedema. The IMs (maximum inhibitions) were calculated for 69% MeOH, 65% EtOH and 76% for EHA. Both extracts, when incorporated into a cream (1, 3 and 5%), were effective in inhibiting ear oedema. The IMs were calculated as 60% MeOH, 72% EtOH and 77% EHA at a concentration of 5%. EAH (500 mg/kg) inhibited leukocytes by 57.82±1.25%, neutrophils by 58.57±2.22%, mononuclear cells by 49.49±3.52%, PGE2 by 48.162.12%, LTB4 activities by 46.67±1.45 and NO levels by 39.00±1.53% in Cg induced pleurisy. EHA also inhibited leukocytes in pleurisy induced by BK (48.80±0.32%), HIS (71.13±0.26%) and SP (56.73±2.26%). Ageratum conyzoides (AC) showed an important anti-inflammatory profile in the experimental models used, moreover, several mechanisms including the inhibition of mediator release and action, appear to account for the antiinflammatory effect of AC.