Phytochemical Screening and Antiinflammatory Activity of the Extract from the Leaves of Desmodium molliculum (Kunth) DC (Fabaceae) in Rats with Acute Inflammation

Inflammation and pain are the initial response mechanisms to environmental aggression on the human body. The traditional use of plants such as Desmodium Molliculum (Kunth) DC, among the Peruvian population for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, has occurred since ancient times. The objective of this research was to determine the presence of secondary metabolites and evaluate the antiinflammatory activity of Desmodium molliculum (EDM) leaves in rats with acute inflammation induced using carrageenan. The phytochemical profile was performed for the main secondary metabolites with biological activity. Subsequently, 25 rats were divided into 5 groups and treated as follows: Group I and II: Physiological Saline Solution (PSS) by oral administration. Group III: Sodium Diclofenac (25 mg/kg body weight) by intraperitoneal administration. Group IV and V: EDM at 250 mg/kg bw and 500 mg/kg bw by oral administration, respectively; 30 minutes after administration, acute inflammation was induced in Groups II, III, IV, and V using the subplantar edema technique with 1% w/v carrageenan. The volume displaced by the hind paw was evaluated in all 5 groups using a digital plethysmometer every 60 minutes for 5 hours. The results were obtained from the displaced volume (Mean ± SD), with the most representative values obtained at 240 minutes, where EDM at 250 mg/kg (0.57 ± 0.07 ml) bw and 500 mg/kg bw (0.578 ± 0.051 ml) showed significant anti-inflammatory activity (ANOVA p<0.05). We concluded that Desmodium Molliculum has anti-inflammatory activity at doses of 250 mg/kg bw and 500 mg/kg bw.