Antiinflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of Aqueous Extract from Phellinus gilvus in Rats

This study evaluated the antiinflammatory activities of an aqueous extract of Phellinus gilvus (PG) against carrageenan- and cotton pellet-induced acute and chronic inflammation in rats. Four acute and chronic inflammation groups included the vehicle control group, positive control group (aminopyrine, 100 mg/kg), PG10 group (PG, 10 mg/kg), and PG20 group (PG, 20 mg/kg). Oral administration of PG extract produced dose-dependent antiinflammatory effects in both the acute and chronic groups. In the carrageenan-induced paw edema, significant inhibitions were observed at 0.5 and 1 hr in the PG10 group and at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 hr in the PG20 group. In the cotton pellet-induced granuolma formation, PG extract at 10 and 20 mg/kg per day also showed significant inhibition in the wet and dry weights of granuloma. The free radical scavenging assay indicated a dose-dependent scavenging activity of PG against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radicals. PG extract may be beneficial as an antiinflammatory agent by virtue of antioxidant action.