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Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Flos populi is an important traditional Chinese medicine prepared from the male inflorescence of Populus tomentosa Carr. or Populus canadensis Moench (Salicaceae family). Flos populi is mainly used for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases and anti diarrhea in East Asian countries. The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the aqueous extract of Flos populi (FPAE). Materials and methods: Cotton pellets-induced granuloma, carrageenan-induced paw oedema, arachidonic acid-induced right ear oedema and xylene-induced ear oedema were used to assess anti-inflammatory activity of FPAE and analgesic activity was evaluated by hot plate test, acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test and formalin test. Results: FPAE produced significant dose–response anti-inflammatory activity against cotton pellets-induced granuloma. FPAE at dosages of 50, 100 and 200mg/kgbw. significantly reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema by 48.84% (P<0.05), 54.95% (P<0.05), and 62.05% (P<0.05) at 5h after carrageenan injection, respectively. FPAE significantly (P<0.05) reduced the ear oedema induced by arachidonic acid and peaked at the dose of 200mg/kgbw. (40.78%). A significant (P<0.05) dose dependent inhibition of xylene-induced oedema was produced by FPAE and peaked at the highest dose of 200mg/kgbw. (23.95%). FPAE (50, 100 and 200mg/kgbw.) produced significant dose–response analgesic activity in the hot-plate test. However, the low percentage inhibition (<50%) suggests that it is not a centrally acting analgesic. Extract at dosages of 50, 100 and 200mg/kgbw., p.o. significantly reduced acetic acid-induced writhing by 39.6% (P<0.05), 45.4% (P<0.05), and 51.8% (P<0.05), respectively. The extract also caused marked dose-dependent inhibition of formalin-induced pain in the second phase (P<0.05). Conclusion: The findings in this study suggest that the aqueous extract of Flos populi possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. These results may support the fact that this plant is used traditionally to cure inflammatory diseases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Flos populi (male inflorescence of Populus tomentosa Carrière) has been traditionally used in East Asian countries for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases, strengthening the spleen and stomach, anti-rheumatic, anti-tumor and anti-diarrhoeal. Aim of the study: To evaluate the in vivo or in vitro anti-diarrhoeal and anti-microbial activity of Flos populi aqueous extract. Materials and methods: Acute toxicity of Flos populi aqueous extract (FPAE) was investigated. Castor oil-induced diarrhoea method was used to evaluate the anti-diarrhoeal activity, inhibition of defecation and diarrhoea were determined in mice, effects on castor oil-induced enteropooling, intestinal transit and intestinal fluid secretion in rats or mice. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of FPAE against strains of three clinical bacterial isolates and one reference strain were used to test the anti-microbial activity. Results: The FPAE reduced the frequency of diarrhoea episodes and decreased the propulsion of charcoal meal through the gastrointestinal tract in a dose dependent manner. FPAE (100–500mg/kg, p.o.) produced dose-dependent and significant (P<0.01) protection of mice against castor oil-induced diarrhoea. FPAE, dose-dependently and significantly (P< 0.01) delayed the onset of castor-oil induced diarrhoea, decreased the frequency of defecation, and reduced the severity of diarrhoea. Compared with control animals, FPAE, dose-dependently and significantly (P< 0.01) decreased the volume of castor oil-induced intestinal fluid secretion, and reduced the number, weight and wetness of faecal droppings. There was no deaths or abnormalities in behaviour seen in the acute toxicity test. The aqueous extract displayed anti-microbial effects to three species of bacteria in anti-microbial test. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that FPAE possesses anti-diarrhoeal property in rats and mice and confirm the ethnomedicinal use of Flos Populi as a valuable natural remedy for the treatment, management and/or control of diarrhoea. These results may support the fact that this plant is traditionally used to cure diarrhoea. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]