Pharmacological studies of ethanolic extracts of Maytenus rigida Mart (Celastraceae) in animal models

The crude ethanol extract (EEOH) of the bark of Maytenus rigida Mart (Celastraceae) a plant used in Brazil herbal traditional medicine, was tested for anti-inflammatory, antiulcer and antidiarrhoeal activities in animal models. No acute toxicological sign was observed in animals treated with the highest dose (5000 mg/kg, p.o. or 2000 mg/kg i.p.) of EEOH. The extract doses of 250, 500 or 750 mg/kg revealed a significant inhibitory effect (P < 0,01) in carrageenin-induced rat paw oedema and exhibited ulcer-protective properties against ethanol-induced ulceration in rats. An anti-diarrhoeal activity (P < 0.01) was also observed in castor-oil-induced diarrhoeal in mice. The intestinal transit was significantly (P < 0.01) reduced, however the pretreatment did not reduce the weight of intestinal contents. These results support the popular applications of Maytenus rigida for the treatment of inflammation, ulcer and diarrhoea in Brazil herbal traditional medicine.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Santos,Vanda Lucia dos, Costa,Viviam Bruna Machado, Agra,Maria de Fátima, Silva,Bagnólia Araújo da, Batista,Leônia Maria
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Farmacognosia 2007
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-695X2007000300006
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