ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF THE AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF LEPIDIUM VIRGINICUM L. IN WISTAR RAT

Abstract

Lepidium virginicum L. is an herbaceous plant belonging to the Brassicaceae family, recognized since pre-Hispanic Mexico and cited throughout history for its therapeutic properties, highlighting its anti-inflammatory effect. The objective of the study was to determine the anti-inflammatory activity of Lepidium virginicum L. aqueous extract at different doses. From Lepidium virginicum L, collected in Mexico City, the extract was prepared by aqueous infusion, to which the phytochemical analysis was applied. The anti-inflammatory effect was determined in two models; the first, a model of chronic inflammation by implantation of a foreign object and the second one a model of acute inflammation induced by carrageenan, both in Wistar rats, total leukocyte count was performed by Neubauer chamber and differential by Wright's staining. Anti-inflammatory activity was found at 200 and 400 mg/kg in the first model, granulomas showed statistically significant decrease in weight at these doses and the number of leukocytes decreased. In the carrageenan model, the 400 mg/kg dose consistently inhibited inflammation, it exceeded the negative control (Diclofenac). Phytochemical tests showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins and cardiac glycosides. The toxic effect was evaluated by means of a histological study of stomach, liver and kidney, by hematoxylin-eosin, the histological study showed damage at 600 mg/ kg on gastric mucosa, while at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg there was anti-inflammatory effect without toxic effects. The study showed that Lepidium virginicum L. extract is useful as an anti-inflammatory agent and has no toxic effects on the stomach, liver and kidney at doses 200 and 400 mg/kg