Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory efficacy of Lotus corniculatus

The anti-inflammatory effects of the crude extract (CE) of Lotus corniculatus var. São Gabriel and its derived hexane (HEX), ethyl acetate (AcOEt), n-butanol (BuOH) and aqueous (Aq) fractions and isolated compounds kaempferitrin, oleanolic acid and β-sitosterol, in a mouse model of pleurisy induced by carrageenan were investigated. Swiss mice were used in the in vivo experiments. The crude extract of L. corniculatus and its derived fractions, and also its isolated compounds, inhibited leukocytes, exudation, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) and adenosine-deaminase (ADA) activities, as well as nitrite/nitrate concentration and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) level (p < 0.05). L. corniculatus showed important anti-inflammatory activity by inhibition not only of leukocytes and/or exudation, but also of pro-inflammatory enzymes and mediators such as MPO, ADA, and IL-1β. The constituent’s kaempferitrin, oleanolic acid and β-sitosterol may well account for it.