Abstract

Background : There are repeated evidences suggesting potential therapeutic effects of Blumea aurita; however, the literature lacks scientific proofs for these benefits. Aims : 1) to determine phytochemical constituents of Blumea aurita, 2) to evaluate anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effects of Blumea aurita 3) to assess the membrane stabilizing activity of Blumea aurita as a possible mechanism for its therapeutic effects. Material and Methods : Phytochemical constituents were determined according to the standard methods. A series of experiments were conducted in animal models using Wister albino rats to evaluate the possible effects of Blumea aurita. Edema-inhibition percent (EI %) and granuloma tissue-formation inhibition (GTI %) were used to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects, the hot plate method to assess analgesic effects and inhibition percent of heatinduced and hypotonic solution-induced RBCs haemolysis to determine membrane stabilizing activity. Results : The phytochemical screening of Blumea aurita revealed presence of triterpenes, flavonoids, saponin, cumarins, tannins and traces of alkaloids. The herb is devoted from unsaturated sterols and anthraquinon. Experimental evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effects of Blumea aurita revealed highest EI % after 4 hours of oral administration of Blumea aurita extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg (EI% = 53%), and 6 hours at 800mg/kg (EI% = 67%). Conclusion : The current results strongly suggest anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, analgesic and membrane stabilizing effects of Blumea aurita. The relevance of the potential therapeutic effects of Blumea aurita to its phytoconstituents was discussed.