Anti-inflammatory activity of leaf extract of Verbena officinalis L.

The anti-inflammatory activity of a 50% methanol extract of the leaves of Verbena officinalis L. was investigated on topical and oral administration. In the TPA-induced ear inflammation model, the extract showed a high reduction of edema, but in the carrageenin-induced rat paw edema the effect observed was less at the two doses employed. These results confirm the use of this plant in folk medicine as a topical anti-inflammatory, herbal drug.