Antioxidant and anti-nociceptive activities of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica

Abstract

Some pharmacological activities of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica were evaluated using its methanol extract (UDE). An acute anti-inflammatory activity of UDE was assessed using carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in rats. UDE exhibited an antioxidant activity when assayed by a stable free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Dose-dependent anti-nociceptive activity of UDE was assessed using the acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice. UDE was able to diminish the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. UDE also suppressed production of nitric oxide and induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in the stimulated macrophages cells. Collectively, the results imply that U. davidiana var. japonica has antioxidant and anti-nociceptive activities in addition to anti-inflammatory activity.