Anti-inflammatory activity of Ziziphus amole

The search for new anti-inflammatory drugs with fewer side effects than those currently available in the market has recently attracted the interest of scientists. Medicinal plants might be a natural source of medicines. Such is the case with Ziziphus amole (Sesse & Moc.) M.C. Johnst. or corongoro, a plant species native to Mexico. It is used in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory drug, a healing substance and an analgesic, and in the treatment of diarrhea, diabetes, asthma and hemorrhoids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of Z. amole in the acute 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced mouse ear edema model, as well as myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of leaves, stems, bark and roots. Secondary metabolites were identified. We measured the anti-inflammatory activity of TPA in the biological model of induced ear edema in mice, and the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity of each extract. The extracts with the highest yields were those of leaf (LEM) with 9.3%, and bark (BEM) with 8.9% both in methanol. The extracts of Z. amole revealed the presence of terpenes, glycosides, flavonoids and saponins. The methanol root extract significantly inhibited (REM) (p <= 0.05) ear edema in mice by 82.3%; this extract was more active than the reference drug indomethacin (80.9% inhibition of the edema). The myeloperoxidase enzyme activity was significantly inhibited by the methanol bark extract (BEM) by 91.1%, followed by the root extract in ethyl acetate (REA) with 90.5% inhibition. Results obtained in this study validate the use of Z. amole as a medicinal plant for the treatment of inflammation and related disorders.