Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant activities of Mercurialis annua extract: evidence from in vivo and in vitro studies

This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant and the in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of a hydroethanolic extract of Mercurialis annua. Acute oral toxicity was assessed and demonstrated low toxicity (LD₅₀ > 2,000 mg kg⁻¹). Antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH, ABTS, and TAC assays, revealing moderate activity (IC₅₀: 185.75, 100.46, and 71.24 µg mL⁻¹, respectively). The extract also produced significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, achieving up to 72% inhibition in the formalin test and reducing xylene- and carrageenan-induced edema by 70% and 62%, respectively, supporting its traditional medicinal use and warranting further pharmacological investigations.