Investigation of the preliminary mechanism of action for the acute anti-inflammatory activity of the methanol extract of Smilax ornata Lem.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: In folkloric medicine the dried rhizome of the Jamaican sarsaparilla (Smilax ornate Lem.), is given as a decoction to treat chronic rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis. This particular claim has been scientifically validated; however, the mechanism for its anti-inflammatory activity is still unknown and hence, it forms the reason for this investigation.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of the methanol extract of Smilax ornate Lem.

Method: The methanol extract was prepared using the soxhlet apparatus. The preliminary mechanism of action was investigated using models of oedema induced by histamine, bradykinin and prostaglandin E.

Results: For the histamine-induced oedema model, the methanol extract (400 mg/kg) reduced the oedema formation, however, it was not significant (P > 0.05). For the bradykinin-induced oedema model, the methanol extract (400 mg/kg) exhibited significant (P < 0.05) anti-inflammatory activity when compared with that of the control (saline) group, with an onset on 60 min and a duration of 2 h. For the prostaglandin-induced oedema model, the methanol extract (400 mg/kg) exhibited significant (P < 0.05) anti-inflammatory activity when compared with that of its control group, with an onset on 120 min and a duration of 1.5 h.

Conclusion: The methanol extract of Smilax ornata Lem. produced significant anti-inflammatory activity in the bradykinin-induced and prostaglandin-induced oedema models. It is possible that the mechanism by which it acts is by reducing the concentration or blocking the action of these mediators.