Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory efficacy of Lotus corniculatus

The anti-inflammatory effects of the crude extract (CE) of Lotus corniculatus var. Sao Gabriel and its derived hexane (HEX), ethyl acetate (AcOEt), n-butanol (BuOH) and aqueous (Aq) fractions and isolated compounds kaempferitrin, oleanolic acid and beta-sitosterol, in a mouse model of pleurisy induced by carrageenan were investigated. Swiss mice were used in the in vivo experiments. The crude extract of L corniculatus and its derived fractions, and also its isolated compounds, inhibited leukocytes, exudation, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) and adenosine-deaminase (ADA) activities, as well as nitrite/nitrate concentration and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) level (p < 0.05). L. corniculatus showed important anti-inflammatory activity by inhibition not only of leukocytes and/or exudation, but also of pro-inflammatory enzymes and mediators such as MPO, ADA, and IL-1 beta. The constituent's kaempferitrin, oleanolic acid and beta-sitosterol may well account for it. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.