Antiinflammatory activity and biochemical parameters of the ethanol extract of Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck (Cactaceae)

We evaluated the antiinflammatory activity of ethanol 70 % extract of Nopalea cochenillifera in a model of induction of granulomatous tissue and the kidney and liver toxicity through serum dosage in rats. During 7 days were administered orally 1.5 ml, 3 times a day, of the ethanol extract of cladodes of N. cochenillifera. We used nimesulide 5 mg/kg/day as positive control and 20 % propylene glycol as a negative control. After the treatment period, we assessed the formation of granulomas and the serum levels of AST, ALT, albumin, creatinine and urea in all groups, noting that the animals treated with the extract showed 53.5 % inhibition formation of granulomatous tissue while the positive control group showed 58.5 %, confirming a significant antiinflammatory activity. There was not a significant elevation of biochemical markers in relation to negative control. Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aires