Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Phellinus merrillii

Purpose. To investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extract of Phellinus merrillii (EPM) in ICR (Institute for Cancer Research) mice. Methods. The authentic ingredient hispolon and the hispolon content of EPM were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The analgesic effects of EPM were investigated by measuring the acetic acid-induced writhing response and the licking time of hind paws following formalin injection. λ-carrageenin (CARR)-induced paw edema was studied to explore the anti-inflammatory effect of EPM. Results. HPLC analysis revealed that hispolon and EPM had similar peaks at a retention time of 6 min. This implied that EPM contained the active ingredient hispolon. Treatment of male ICR mice with EPM (2 g/kg) significantly inhibited the numbers of writhing response (p＜0.001). This inhibition by EPM (2 g/kg) was similar to that produced by a positive control indomethacin (10 mg/kg) (p＜0.001). EPM (1 and 2 g/kg) significantly inhibited (p＜0.001) the formalin-induced pain in the late phase. EPM (1 and 2 g/kg) also inhibited the development of paw edema induced by CARR (p＜0.05). Conclusion. EPM may have analgesic and ant-inflammatory activities.