Phytochemistry and Biological Evaluation of Daphne gnidium L. Butanol Extract

Background: Daphne gnidium L. (Thymelaeaceae) has been used in the Mediterranean basin to treat skin diseases, rheumatism and toothache. Objective: the aim of this study was to evaluate the biological activities of butanol extract from the D. gnidium leaves. Methods: A quantitative analysis by high‐performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC‐DAD) was performed. The antioxidant activities were evaluated by using three different assays: 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl assay (DPPH assay), deoxyribose degradation assay and Cellular Antioxidant Activity (CAA) assay. The butanol extract was investigated for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in animal models. In addition, its effect on the production of NO and lysosomal activity in vivo was assessed. Results: The HPLC-DAD analysis showed the presence of daphnetin. The butanol extract had a remarkable antioxidant activity in the different systems tested. Furthermore, it has an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the xyleneinduced ear edema and reduced the number of abdominal constrictions in mice indicating analgesic effect. It also was found to inhibit (NO) production and lysosomal activity in vivo. Conclusion: These findings support the daphne use in traditional medicine for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. Further investigations to elucidate its mechanism of action are required.