Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antinociceptive activities of Russelia coccinea (L.) Wettst.

Objective: Some species of the Russelia genus have been used  different illnesses associated with pain and inflammation. The aim of this work was to characterize the biological activities (anti-inflammatory and analgesic) and antioxidant capacity of methanol and dichloromethane extracts of Russelia coccinea. Materials and Methods: In this study, topical anti-inflammatory activity was tested in an in vivo model of ۱۲-O-tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) induced mouse ear edema of organic extracts (doses: ۰.۰۳, ۰.۱, and ۰.۳ mg/ear). The antinociceptive activity was assessed using the formalin test in mice of organic extracts (doses: ۵۶, ۱۰۰ and ۳۰۰ mg/kg ). Moreover, the antioxidant capacity of the extracts was determined using ۲,۲-diphenyl-۱-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ۲,۲′-azinobis(۳-ethylbenzothiaziline-۶-sulfonate) (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Results: Methanol (RcM) and dichloromethane (RcD) extracts of the R. coccinea aerial parts were found to inhibit ear edema (۴۸.۹۵ and ۴۰.۱۳%, respectively) at a dose of ۰.۳ mg/ear. Acute treatment with RcM produced a significant antinociceptive effect in the late phase of formalin-induced nociception. Moreover, RcM at doses of ۵۶, ۱۰۰ and ۳۰۰ mg/kg showed a significant antinociceptive effect through the early and late phases in the formalin test. RcM and RcD showed weak antioxidant capacities in the ABTS and DPPH assays; however, when their reducing capacity was evaluated by the FRAP assay, RcM showed a reducing activity similar to Camellia sinensis standard at the proven concentration of ۱۰۰۰ μg/ml. Conclusion: According to the experimental findings, the organic extracts of R. coccinea display remarkable antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities.

Keywords:

Russelia coccinea , Plantaginaceae , Anti-inflammatory activity , Antinociceptive activity , Organic extracts , Antioxidant