Received: September 15, 2006.

Accepted: March 23, 2007.

Abstract published online: March 26, 2007.

Full paper published online: May 31, 2007.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF THE APOLAR EXTRACT FROM THE SEAWEED Galaxaura marginata (RHODOPHYTA, NEMALIALES)

ROZAS E. (1), FREITAS J. C. (1)

(1) Department of Physiology, Biosciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil.

ABSTRACT: The red seaweed Galaxaura marginata (Ellis & Solander) Lamouroux, well known by the antibacterial activity of its polar extract and the cytotoxic activity of its oxygenated desmosterol, showed anti-inflammatory action in its apolar fraction. Topical anti-inflammatory activity was observed in samples collected at São Sebastião channel, northern littoral of São Paulo State, Brazil. The apolar extract and its fractions obtained through Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) reduced the topical inflammation produced by croton oil in mouse ear. Such data indicated that the apolar extract from the marine red alga G. marginata displayed anti-inflammatory activity (since 1mg/ear extract reduced 95±0.5% inflammation), which could be the result of the synergic activity of the four fractions present in the apolar extract.

KEY WORDS: seaweed, Galaxaura marginata, inflammation, Croton oil, edema, anti-inflammatory agents.

FINANCIAL SOURCE: FAPESP (00/07374-3).

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: There is no conflict.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

ENRIQUE ROZAS, Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, Travessa 14, 101, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brasil Fax: (5511) 38187568. Email: enrique.sanchez@lycos.com.