Planta Med 2007; 73(3): 227-235
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-967116
Original Paper
Pharmacology
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Differential Extraction of Verbena officinalis on Rat Models of Inflammation, Cicatrization and Gastric Damage

E. Speroni1 , R. Cervellati2 , S. Costa1 , M. C. Guerra1 , A. Utan1 , P. Govoni3 , A. Berger4 , A. Müller4 , H. Stuppner4
  • 1Dipartimento di Farmacologia, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
  • 2Dipartimento di Chimica ”G. Ciamician”, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
  • 3Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sezione di Istologia, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
  • 4Institut für Pharmazie/Pharmakognosie, Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
Further Information

Publication History

Received: July 5, 2006

Accepted: December 18, 2006

Publication Date:
12 March 2007 (online)

Abstract

Verbena officinalis L. is used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, skin burns, abrasions, and gastric diseases. Extracts obtained with different solvents (methanol, VoME; enriched flavonoids, VoEF; supercritical CO2, VoCO2) were evaluated for anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective and cicatrizing activities. Additionally, the antioxidant capacity was determined in vitro. In order to confirm the activities investigated, histological observations were performed. All extracts induce a remarkable anti-inflammatory activity. The gastric damage is significantly reduced by all extracts administered, whereby the most pronounced protection is observed for the VoCO2 and VoEF extracts. Finally, a wound healing effect is obtained particularly by the CO2 extract, suggesting the presence of some lipophilic active principles. Histological evidence confirms the results evaluated with the animal procedures. The results obtained after oral administration of V. officinalis extracts are also in agreement with the antioxidant capacity evaluated in vitro, confirming the relationship between pharmacological activities and antiradical efficacy.

Abbreviations

VoCO2:Co2-extract of the aerial parts of V. officinalis

VoME:methanolic extract of the aerial parts of V. officinalis

VoEF:enriched flavonoid extract of the aerial parts of V. officinalis

ADG:apigenindiglucuronide

LDG:luteolindiglucuronide

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Dr. E. Speroni

Department of Pharmacology

University of Bologna

Via Irnerio 48

40126 Bologna

Italy

Phone: +39-051-209-1793

Fax: +39-051-248-862

Email: ester.speroni@unibo.it