Comparative evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of Turkish Eryngium species.

Extracts obtained from the root and aerial parts of various Eryngium (Apiaceae) species are used as folk remedy worldwide for the treatment of various inflammatory disorders. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts obtained from either aerial parts or roots of eight Eryngium species growing in Turkey, i.e., were evaluated for their in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. Eryngium campestre, Eryngium creticum, Eryngium davisii, Eryngium falcatum, Eryngium isauricum, Eryngium kotschyi, Eryngium maritimum, and Eryngium trisectum. For the antinociceptive activity assessment p-benzoquinone-induced writhing test, and for anti-inflammatory activity carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema and TPA-induced ear oedema tests were employed in mice. According to the results of investigations, except Eryngium falcatum extracts, ethanol extracts either from the aerial parts or roots of Eryngium species showed apparent anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity. In spite of potent activity of the ethanol extract from Eryngium isauricum aerial parts was induced gastric damage. Aerial parts and roots of Eryngium maritimum and Eryngium kotschyi were found to possess most promising activities without including any apparent gastric damage.