Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Seed Extract Obtained from Supercritical CO.

is a plant species traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes, fever, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and urinary tract diseases. The anti-inflammatory effects of leaves in mice were already known. Nevertheless, studies on the anti-inflammatory activity of its seeds are still lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity and acute toxicity of seed extract, obtained from supercritical CO extraction (SCCO) at 40°C and 250 bar, in mice. GC/MS analysis revealed that -caryophyllene is the major compound present in the SCCO extract. The extract (60 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced the nociceptive behavior in the second phase of the formalin test and prevented the paw oedema induced by carrageenan up to 6 h after carrageenan injection. The extract (0.1-1 g/mL) inhibited neutrophils migration induced by LPS from . This antichemostatic effect was comparable to the effect of indomethacin. Acute administration (2000 mg/kg, p.o.) of SCCO extract caused no mice mortality, demonstrating that the extract is devoid of acute toxicity. These data suggest that seeds present anti-inflammatory activity and represent a source of anti-inflammatory compounds.