Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of Sonchus oleraceus in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSonchus oleraceus L. has been used to relieve headaches, general pain, hepatitis, infections, inflammation and rheumatism in Brazilian folk medicine. Nevertheless, scientific information regarding this species is scarce; there are no reports related to its possible anti-inflammatory effects.Aim of the studyThis study was aimed at evaluating the scientific basis for the traditional use of Sonchus oleraceus using in vivo inflammatory models.Materials and methodsCarrageenan-induced paw edema, peritonitis and febrile response induced by lipopolysaccharide tests, as well as fibrovascular tissue growth induced by s.c. cotton pellet implantation were used to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of Sonchus oleraceus hydroethanolic extract (SoHE) in rats.ResultsThe SoHE at test doses of 100–300 mg/kg p.o. clearly demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects by reduced paw edema induced by carragenan, inhibited leukocyte recruitment into the peritoneal cavity and reduced LPS-induced febrile response, and in the model of chronic inflammation using the cotton pellet-induced fibrovascular tissue growth in rats, the SoHE significantly inhibited the formation of granulomatous tissue. The extract administered at 300 mg/kg p.o. had a stronger anti-inflammatory effect than indomethacin (10 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (1 mg/kg).ConclusionThe hydroethanolic extract of Sonchus oleraceus markedly demonstrated anti-inflammatory action in rats, which supports previous claims of its traditional use.

The administration of Sonchus oleraceus hydroethanolic extract (SoHE) demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects by reduced inhibited leukocyte recruitment into the peritoneal cavity and febrile response reduced induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E. coli.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide