Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of the methanolic extract from Jungia rugosa leaves in rodents

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Jungia rugosa Less (Asteraceae), popularly known in Ecuador as "Carne humana" or "Fompo", is a vine present into the Andean region. It is traditionally used as medicine for the treatment of bruises, cuts and other external inflammatory processes. This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of J. rugosa leaves extract (JRLE) in rodents. Material and methods: The acute anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by animal models, including croton oil-induced ear oedema in mice, carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats and myeloperoxidase (MPO); the chronic anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by cotton pellet-induced granuloma. Results: Intraperitoneal administration of JRLE (125, 250, 500 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.01-0.001) inhibited the croton oil-induced ear oedema and MPO activity in mice; the carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats was significantly (p<0.05) reduced by 500 mg/kg. Repeated (6 days) administration of the extract to mice previously implanted with cotton pellets reduced the formed granuloma (125 mg/kg: 11.7%; 250 mg/kg: 17.9%; 500 mg/kg: 32.4%) but only the inhibition by 500 mg/kg reached statistical significance (p<0.01). Conclusions: The results show that JRLE is effective as an anti-inflammatory agent in acute and chronic inflammation in mice, supporting its traditional use.