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Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of extract and two isolated flavonoids of Carthamus tinctorius L.

Authors Wang, Yu; Chen, Ping; Tang, Changyun; Wang, Yao; Li, Yazhen; Zhang, Hao

Journal JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY , FEB 3 2014,2:151

DOI 10.1016/j.jep.2013.12.003 PubMed 24333963

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance: Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L) has been long used both in the traditional system and folk medicine as an analgesic anti-inflammatory agent in China. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of hydroalcoholic extract (HE) and two isolated kaempferol glycosides of Carthamus tinctorius L. to provide experimental evidence for its traditional use.Materials and methods: Antinociceptive effects of HE, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (K-3-R) and kaempferol 3-O-glucoside (K-3-G) were assessed in mice using the acetic acid-induced writhing test, formalin test and cinnamaldehyde test. The anti-inflammatory effects of HE, K-3-R and K-3-G were determined in two animal models: carrageenan-induced paw edema and xylene-induced ear edema.Results: The HPLC analysis showed the presence of K-3-R and K-3-G in Carthamus tinctorius L HE (500 and 1000 mg/kg) as well as K-3-R and K-3-G (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg) produced significant inhibition on nociception induced by acetic acid and formalin. Oral treatment of HE, K-3-R and K-3-G at all doses significantly reduced both the nociceptive response and cinnamaldehyde-induced paw edema, effect that was superior to aspirin. In anti-inflammatory tests, HE and K-3-G significantly inhibited the paw edema during the both phases of carrageenan-induced inflammation while K-3-G suppressed the late phase. inflammation only. HE (400 and 800 mg/kg) and K-3-G (200, 400, 800 mg/kg) produced significant dose-dependent inhibition of xylene-induced ear edema development. K-3-R only suppressed ear edema formation at a high dose (800 mg/kg).Conclusions: These results demonstrate that Carthamus tinctorius L. extract possess remarkable anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities which may be due to K-3-R and K-3-G at least in part, supporting the folkloric usage of the plant to treat various inflammatory and pain diseases. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Species covered 红花 Carthamus tinctorius