Original Articles
Medila Ifriqya, Toumi Ikram, F
Abstract
Artemisia campestris L. and Spitzelia coronopifolia Desf. are medicinal plants widely distributed in southern Algeria and used by populations in several Saharan regions to treat various diseases. The anti-inflammatory activity of an ethanolic extracts of Artemisia campestris L. et spitzelia coronopifolia Desf. leaves was investigated in rats using formaldehyde induced paw oedema. Experimental animals received 150 and 300 mg/kg (orally) of the extracts or saline (control group) and the reference group received 50 mg/kg of acetylsalicylic acid. The ethanol extract of plants studied leaves at the dose level of 150 and 300 mg/kg decreased the edema significantly (p<0.001). The percent inhibition at the end of experiment showed that the extract of Artemisia campestris L. at the dose level of 300 mg /kg was more active (67.15%) followed by Spitzelia coronopifolia Desf. extract at the Dose level of 300 mg/kg (48.39%). These two leave extracts at the concentration of 300 mg / kg are more effective than the standard, acetylsalicylic acid (50 mg/kg). While the lowest percentage of paw edema inhibition was represented by the Artemisia campestris L. extract at the dose level of 150 mg/kg (34.61%). The effect is therefore dose dependent.