Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanol extract of higuerilla (Ricinus communis) leaves in wistar rats

Currently, anti-inflammatory drugs are the most consumed worldwide, although their abuse and excess lead to gastropathies and cardiovascular complications causing death in 47 out of every 100,000 patients, Ricinus communis, despite its limited research, has proven to be an excellent natural alternative to counteract the inflammatory process. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of higuerilla leaves by means of the plantar edema test with 3% carregenin in mice, applied by cutaneous route inside the surface of the aponeurosis in the right paw, where five groups of treatments with six animals each were made; The first group was a negative control group with 0.9% sodium chloride, the second group was a positive control group treated with indomethacin, while the other groups with the respective mixtures with a dose of 150, 250 and 500 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract of R. communis 50% administered orally where they received an exact dosage according to weight and route of administration. Meanwhile, it was observed that the extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg. showed a similar behavior to Indomethacin at the maximum hour tested, with a similar percentage of inhibition after the second hour and over 50% at the fourth hour of the study, which indicated a good anti-inflammatory power under the conditions. The extract at the other doses tested showed a good anti-inflammatory effect, although in lower percentages than the positive control. That is, it was found that under an effect of acute inflammation induced by significant plantar edema, it was presented with a higher percentage of inhibition at the dose of 500 mg/kg, comparable to indomethacin used as a reference drug.