Phytochemical characterization and in vivo evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activities of Pinus halepensis bark extract from eastern Algeria

The aim of our study is to document the traditional use of Pinus halepensis in the region of Setif, Algeria and to evaluate its gastroprotective properties in vivo. An ethnopharmacological survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire to gather information about traditional plant usage. The hydroalcoholic extract of the plant?s bark part was analyzed for its content of total phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins. The acute toxicity was tested in vivo using albino mice at 2000 and 5000 mg/kg doses. The anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activities were evaluated using the croton oil-induced ear edema model and the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model, respectively, with doses of 200mg/kg and 600mg/kg. The ethnopharmacological survey showed that 30.69% of the population in the study area utilized this plant as a traditional remedy to treat ulcers (87.5%), respiratory problems (72.5%), dermatological diseases (10%) and sexual capacity (5%). The phytochemical evaluation showed values of phenolic content (631.2 ? 1.12 ?g GAE/mg), flavonoid content (68.85 ? 1.63 ?g QE/mg) and tannins content (406.3 ? 2.70 ?g CAT E/mg). The extract showed no toxicity with a single dose up to 5000 mg/kg. The extract reduced ear edema up to 78.07% ? 2.04% at in a dose dependent manner; and managed to decrease the ulceration dose dependently with percentages up to 89.4 ? 1.38. P. halepensis demonstrated a significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and gastroprotective properties, validating its traditional use in Algerian folk medicine.