Pharmacological properties of lichen Cladonia clathrata

Pharm Biol. 2010 Jul;48(7):745-52. doi: 10.3109/13880200903273914.

Abstract

Cladonia clathrata Ahti & L. Xavier-Filho (Cladoniaceae) is a lichen; several Cladonia species extracts have been used for various remedies in folk medicine. In order to evaluate the actions of this lichen, studies were performed on antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. The hydroalcoholic extract (HE) of C. clathrata stems was used in the following experiments. Oral treatment with the HE of C. clathrata elicited inhibitory activity (p < 0.001) on acetic acid-induced abdominal writhes at 100 (47.2%), 200 (47.2%), and 400 mg/kg (86.4%), and reduced the formalin-induced nociception on both the neurogenic (400 mg/kg, p < 0.01) and inflammatory phases (200 and 400 mg/kg, p < 0.01). It was not associated with non-specific effects, such as muscle relaxation or sedation. The HE reduced the carrageenan-induced edema formation at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.05) and inhibited neutrophil migration into the peritoneal cavity at 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001). The HE of C. clathrata reacted with the DPPH radical and reduced the same by 50.19%, and exhibited an IC(50) value of 69.25 +/- 0.65 mug/mL. The HE of C. clathrata stems shows antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities, with a moderate antioxidant potential.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / chemistry
  • Analgesics / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Ascomycota*
  • Benzofurans / metabolism
  • Biphenyl Compounds / metabolism
  • Carrageenan
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Lichens*
  • Mice
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Neutrophil Infiltration / drug effects
  • Pain Measurement
  • Picrates / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Benzofurans
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Picrates
  • usnic acid
  • Carrageenan
  • 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl