Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and liver-protective effects of anoectochilus formosanus, ganoderma lucidum and gynostemma pentaphyllum in rats.

The pharmacological effects of Anoectochilus formosanus, Ganoderma lucidum and Gynostemma pentaphyllum were studied against carrageenan-induced paw edema and CC1(4)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The water extracts of G. pentaphyllum and G. lucidum were found to possess significant anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan induced edema. The administration of Gynostemma pentaphyllum displayed an activity even more potent than indomethacin. In contrast, Anoectochilus formosanus showed a delayed onset of anti-inflammatory activity starting from 4 hrs post carrageenan administration. However, A. formosanus significantly decreased the acute increase in serum GOT and GPT level caused by CC1(4). Histological changes such as necrosis, fatty change, ballooning degeneration, inflammatory infiltration of lymphocytes and Kupffer cells around the central vein were simultaneously improved by the treatment of A. formosanus.