Screening of the topical anti-inflammatory activity of the bark of Acacia cornigera Willdenow, Byrsonima crassifolia Kunth, Sweetia panamensis Yakovlev and the leaves of Sphagneticola trilobata Hitchcock.

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance An investigation of topical anti-inflammatory activity was undertaken on plants used in Central America traditional medicine. Aim of study Four herbal drugs used in the folk medicine of Central America to treat inflammatory skin affections ( Acacia cornigera bark, Byrsonima crassifolia bark, Sphagneticola trilobata leaves and Sweetia panamensis bark) were evaluated for their topical anti-inflammatory activity. Materials and methods Petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts were obtained for herbal medicines and then extracts were tested on Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis model in mice. Results Almost all the extracts reduced the Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis in mice and the chloroform ones showed the highest activity, with ID 50 (dose giving 50% oedema inhibition) values ranging from 112 μg/cm 2 ( Byrsonima crassifolia ) to 183 μg/cm 2 ( Sphagneticola trilobata ). As reference, ID 50 of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin was 93 μg/cm 2 . Conclusions Lipophilic extracts from these species can be regarded as potential sources of anti-inflammatory principles.