Antiinflammatory properties ofMorus nigraleaves

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate antiinflammatory activity of the methylene chloride extract of Morus nigra in animal models. Carrageenan‐induced paw edema as well as fibrovascular tissue growth induced by s.c. cotton pellet implantation were used to investigate the antiinflammatory activity of Morus nigra extract (MnE) in rats. A HPLC fingerprint was used for phytochemical analysis of the extracts. The MnE at test doses of 100–300 mg/kg p.o. clearly demonstrated antiinflammatory effects by reduced paw edema induced by carragenan and significantly inhibited the formation of granulomatous tissue. In addition, chemical compounds isolated from Morus nigra , including betulinic acid, β‐sitosterol and germanicol, may be responsible for the antiinflammatory effect of the extract. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.