Antinociceptive, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant activities of the ethanol extract of Crataegus orientalis leaves*

Abstract

To determine the in vitro antioxidant activity and to investigate the possible antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effects of the ethanol extract of Crataegus orientalis leaves. The medicinal use of extracts prepared from the leaves, flowers, and fruits of Crataegus (hawthorn) dates back to ancient times. It has been proposed that its antioxidant constituents account for these beneficial therapeutic effects. Materials and methods: To evaluate these effects, the hot-plate, tail-immersion, writhing, and carrageenan-induced edema tests were used. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of the extract was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and \beta-carotene-linoleic acid assay systems. In the tests that were used to determine antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effects, the extract was administered in dose ranges of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, intraperitoneally. Results: In the hot-plate test, the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg exerted significant antinociceptive effects. In the tail-immersion test, antinociceptive effects were significant in all of the doses. In the writhing test, as the dose increased, a significant decrease in the writhing responses was observed. The antiinflammatory test results showed a dose-dependent antiinflammatory activity. In vivo tests also showed the extract as possessing antioxidant activity. Conclusion: According to the experimental findings, the ethanol extract of C. orientalis displays remarkable antinociceptive, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant activities.