Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of aqueous extract of Flos populi

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Flos populi is an important traditional Chinese medicine prepared from the male inflorescence of Populus tomentosa Carr. or Populus canadensis Moench ( Salicaceae family). Flos populi is mainly used for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases and anti diarrhea in East Asian countries. The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the aqueous extract of Flos populi (FPAE). Materials and methods Cotton pellets-induced granuloma, carrageenan-induced paw oedema, arachidonic acid-induced right ear oedema and xylene-induced ear oedema were used to assess anti-inflammatory activity of FPAE and analgesic activity was evaluated by hot plate test, acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test and formalin test. Results FPAE produced significant dose–response anti-inflammatory activity against cotton pellets-induced granuloma. FPAE at dosages of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg b w. significantly reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema by 48.84% ( P P P P P P P P P Conclusion The findings in this study suggest that the aqueous extract of Flos populi possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. These results may support the fact that this plant is used traditionally to cure inflammatory diseases.