Abstract

In this study, n-Hexane extracts prepared from aerial part of Zosima absinthifolia(ZAA) and the root of Z. absinthifolia (ZAR) (Umbelliferae) as well as deltoin were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity using the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema test. The anti-inflammatory activity of Z. absinthifolia was not found to be significantly different at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg. However, the aerial part of ZAA at 75 mg/kg, i.p., and Deltoin at 10 mg/kg, i.p. showed a significant reduction with 86.56 and 71.05% respectively in rat paw oedema induced by carrageenan against the reference anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin (3 mg/kg, i.p.) (87%). The ED₅₀ of deltoin, ZAA and ZAR were determined as 5.08, 69.82 and 38.51 mg/kg, respectively. Furthermore, content of deltoin and columbianadin in both ZAA and ZAR were also analyzed by HPLC. Deltoin content of plant was found higher than the columbianadin content in ZAA and ZAR. The present study reveals that the aerial part of Z. absinthifolia possesses promising anti-inflammatory activity in rats.

Key words: Anti-inflammatory activity, deltoin, umbelliferae, Zosima.