In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of grandiflorenic acid and kaurenic acid isolated from Coespeletia moritziana and Espeletia semiglobulata

Kaurenic (KA) and grandiflorenic (GA) acids were isolated from Espeletia semiglobulata and Coespeletia moritziana (Asteraceae), respectively, collected from the Andean moors, Merida, Venezuela. The anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds was evaluated in vivo in BIO:NMRI mice by the following methods: xylol-induced ear edema and carrageenan-induced paw edema at doses of 16, 32 and 64 mg/Kg. The anti-inflammatory activity was studied by comparison with drugs of recognized anti-inflammatory activity: dexamethasone (1 mg/Kg), diclofenac (25 mg/Kg) and ketoprofen (10 mg/Kg). The edema index and percentage inhibition were determined after treatment with xylene or carrageenan. Intramuscular administration of GA showed greater anti-inflammatory activity than KA at doses of 64 mg/Kg. This is the first study of the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of GA.