Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, and Antinociceptive Effects of a Cressa cretica Aqueous Extract

Cressa cretica is a widely grown halophytic plant traditionally used for the treatment of different ailments. Previous investi- gations reported its biological activity on a wide spectrum of diseases. In this study, in vivo antinociceptive, anti-inflamma- tory, and antipyretic activities of C. cretica aqueous extract whole plant were evaluated. In addition, the total polyphenol content, the total flavonoid content, and the chemical charac- terization of the extract were performed. C. cretica showed writhing inhibition in acetic acid-induced peripheral nocicep- tion of 43 and 48 % at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, respective- ly. The same doses increased latency time in a hot plate model of central analgesia by 66 and 78% compared to the control group, respectively. The acute anti-inflammatory effect of the extract was explored in the carrageenan-induced rat hind paw test. The inhibition of paw volume was better than that of the standard drug indomethacin. C. cretica significantly de- creased rectal temperature in the rats injected with Brewerʼs yeast. C. cretica aqueous extract showed both central and pe- ripheral antinociceptive activities and was effective as an anti- inflammatory and antipyretic. Phenolic compounds, including chlorogenic acids and flavonol glycosides, were identified by HPLC‐PDA‐ESI‐MS techniques. These findings indicate the me- dicinal importance of this traditionally used plant as a thera- peutic remedy for different ailments.