Pharmacognosy, Medicinal Plants and Natural Products

Medicinal plants are believed to be an important source for the discovery of

potential antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic substances. The present study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and anticancer potential of Pistacia lentiscus (Anacardiaceae) extracts, as well as identification of active compounds, using appropriate methodology. Oral administration of the crude extracts of leaves and fruits (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly decreased carrageenan-induced mice paw edema similar to the standard drug Diclofenac (50 mg/kg). Furthermore, Pistacia lentiscus leaf extract was effective in reducing the serum levels of IL-1β compared to acetylsalicylic acid. Blood glucose level was restored to normal values, for both concentrations (50 and 125 mg/kg) tested, in agreement with the in vitro antidiabetic effect. P. lentiscus extracts were also found to be significantly cytotoxic on melanoma B16F10 cell line and showed very good anti-hyperuricemic activity. Phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of copious amounts of flavonoids, tannins and phenolics in the extracts of this plant such as gallic acid, myricetinrhamnoside, quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside, synergic acid and ellagic acid, which could be responsible for the observed activity. Obtained results suggest that Pistacia lentiscus extracts exhibited strong biological effects and may be a candidate for the development of pharmacological agents that may be used in therapy against inflammatory-related disorders.