Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Methanolic Extract of Santolina chamaecyparissus

Santolina chamaecyparissus (S. chamaecyparissus) is an aromatic plant widely spread in Mediterranean region. It is used in folk medicine for their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, bactericidal, digestive and vulnerary properties. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory effect of methanollic extract of the aerial parts of S. chamaecyparissus was evaluated using Croton oil-induced ear oedema and carragenan-induced air pouch. Results showed that the topical application of 2 mg/ear of the extract, simultaneously with the application of the irritant agent exerted 47 and 51% of inhibition after 4 and 6 h, respectively, this effect was less than that obtained with indomethacin, used as a standard anti-inflammatory drug. The topical pre-treatment with 2 mg/ear of the extract 1 h before the induction of inflammation inhibited strongly (90%) the ear oedema. In the same way, the oral administration of 200 mg/kg 1 h before Croton oil application inhibited significantly (p<0.001) the ear oedema with 93%. These results were higher than that of indomethacin. On the other hand, the extract reduced the number of leucocytes migrated into the air pouch induced by carrageenan. The inhibition was 40%, this value is close to that obtained with indomethacin (32%). In conclusion, data show that methanolic extract of S. chamaecyparissus exerted anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the oedema and leukocyte migration, which support its traditional uses in treatment of some inflammatory disorders.