The anti-inflammatory activity of the petroleum ether, dichloromethane and methanol extracts from Heterotheca subaxillaris var. latifolia were assayed using 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) induced ear edema test in mice and carrageenan-induced paw edema test in rats. The dichloromethane extract showed a significant anti-inflammatory activity (91% of inhibition) in TPA-induced ear edema test (topical administration at 1 mg/ear). No effects were seen on carragenan-induced edema. Bio-guided fractionation deal to the isolation of the major flavonoids santin, pectolinaringenin, 3,6-dimethoxy-5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavone and hispidulin present in the active fractions.
Heterotheca subaxillaris var; latifolia; Asteraceae; anti-inflammatory activity; flavonoids
