Topical anti-inflammatory activity of semisolid containing standardized Aleurites moluccana L. Willd (Euphorbiaceae) leaves extract

Abstract Ethnopharmmacological relevance Aleurites moluccana is a medicinal plant popularly used to treat pain, fever, asthma, hepatitis, gastric ulcer and inflammatory process in general. Recently, pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that the dry extract obtained from A. moluccana leaves was effective as analgesic, anti-inflammatory and wound healing. Aim The present study has aimed to evaluate the mechanisms involved in the topical anti-inflammatory effects of the semisolid containing 10 mg/g of A. moluccana dried extract. Material and Methods Ear edema induced by croton oil (2.5%) in mice was used throughout the study. The level of cytokines tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukine-1β (IL-1β) and chemokine keratinocyte chemoattractant (CXCL1/KC), and neutrophil migration were quantified. The histological analysis has also been performed. Results The topical treatment with the semisolid was able to significantly inhibite the ear edema (35.77±7.35%). This effect was accompanied by the reduction of leukocyte migration, as well as TNF (53.75±12.96%), IL-1β (38.36±5.92%), and CXCL1/KC (62.29±11.65%) decreased levels. Conclusions This study demonstrated for the first time the mechanisms involved in the topical anti-inflammatory effect presented by the semisolid containing A. moluccana dried extract pointing as the main mechanism is the reduction in the leukocyte migration and consequently resulting in diminished levels of cytokins and chemokines, indicating this herbal product as a promissor anti-inflammatory phytomedicine to treat skin inflammatory diseases.