Value Added Abstracts
F.A. Al-Shammaki
Abstract
Euphorbia dendroides L. (Euphoraceae) is a tree-like semi-succulent spurge growing as a wild plant in Libya. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extracts of Euphorbia dendroides L. in a dose of 400 mg/kg p.o. was investigated in mice by means of carrageenan-induced paw oedema method. The pedal oedema was measured by means of a ¹micrometer; using 0.025 ml of 1% carrageenan solution was injected subcutaneously into one hind paw of each mouse, compared with aspirin in a dose of 100mg/kg orally to serve as a reference compound. The results showed that the ethanolic extract exhibited a highly significant inhibition in oedema (p < o.o1) in the group treated with E. dendroides L. and the control. In order to confirm the anti-inflammatory effect of the plant extract, using aspirin as a reference compound. Percentage of inhibition of the oedema was 84% for Euphorbia dendroides L., and 86% for aspirin and this confirms that the expected mechanism of Euphorbia dendroides L. anti-inflammatory effect is probably through decreased in the prostaglandin's level. Key words: Ethanolic extract of E. dendroides L., Anti-inflammatory, Carrageenan test.