In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Activities of Black Elder (<i>Sambucus nigra</i> L.) Fruit and Flower Extracts

Abstract

Sambucus nigra L. (S. nigra, SN) or black elder is a traditional medicinal plant widely used worldwide for therapeutic and dietary purposes. The aim of the current study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of black elder fruit and flower extracts (SNFrE and SNFlE, respectively). The primary polyphenol constituents in the flower extract were flavonoids and phenolic acids, while anthocyanins were the main components in the fruit extract. SNFrE revealed pronounced and dose-dependent in vivo anti-inflammatory activity assessed by the cotton pellet-induced granuloma test. Doses of 10, 20, and 50 mg/kg BW of SNFrE reduced the weight of induced granuloma in rats by 20.3%, 20.5%, and 28.4%, respectively. At the highest dose (50 mg/kg BW), SNFrE had significant (p p S. nigra in traditional medicine.

Keywords

• black elder (<i>Sambucus nigra</i> L.)
• polyphenols
• inflammation
• anti-inflammatory activity
• antinociceptive activity