Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Seseli L. species (Apiaceae) growing in Turkey

The ethyl acetate and methanol (80%) extracts obtained from 10 Seseli L. species (Apiaceae) growing in Turkey, Seseli andronakii Woron., Seseli campestre Besser, Seseh gummiferum Pall. ex Sm. subsp. corymbosum (Boiss. and Heldr.) P.H. Davis, Seseli guanniferum Pall. ex Sm. subsp. gummiferum, Seseh hartvigii Parolly and Nordt, Seseh libanotis (L.) W. Koch, Seseli petraeum M. Bieb., Seseh peucedanoides (Bieb.) Koso-Pol., Seseh resinosum Freyn and Sint., Seseli tortuosum L. were evaluated for their in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. For the preliminary screening of anti-inflammatory activity, carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and for the antinociceptive activity, p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test were used. Among the plant extracts, the ethyl acetate extracts from Seseh andronakii, Seseh campestre, Seseh gummiferuin subsp. corymbosum, Seseli petraeum, Seseli resinosum and Seseli tortuosum showed 30.1, 32.3, 36.9, 39.8, 35.1, 37.6% inhibition in p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test, respectively. The ethyl acetate extracts of Seseli gummiferum subsp. corymbosum, Seseli petraeum, Seseli resinosum and Seseh tortuosum also exhibited notable inhibition, ranging between 24.5-29.7, 28.1-33.3, 17.4-27.5 and 27.9-31.3%, respectively, in carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model at 100 mg/kg dose without inducing any gastric damage, quite comparable observed to indomethacin (41.8-44.8% inhibition) as a reference sample. During the acute toxicity evaluation, neither death nor gastric bleeding was for any of the plant extracts. Results have supported the traditional use of some Seseli species against inflammatory disorders. Further studies are warranted to define and isolate the active anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive components from the active species which may yield safe and effective agents to be used in current treatments. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.