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Inflammatory diseases remain a significant public health issue, posing challenges in their management due to the adverse effects associated with conventional anti- inflammatory drugs. Exploring medicinal plants as a viable avenue for researching novel anti-inflammatory drugs offers a promising alternative. Jatropha multifida L. is a well-known traditional plant of the Euphorbiaceae family with undisputed medicinal properties, both haemostatic and antimicrobial. Very little data exists on its antiinflammatory properties. This study aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of J. multifida stem sap. The anti-inflammatory activity of the stem sap was evaluated in vitro by the anti-hemolytic activity assessment method, in vivo by the paw edema test in rats. The immunomodulatory potential was determined using a chemical mediator of inflammation, TNFα. Its antioxidant activity by the DPPH method was evaluated. The results of this study revealed that J. multifida sap with an LC50 of 0.604 mg/mL, is non-toxic and showed a 66.21% higher anti-hemolytic effect than Diclofenac (25.94%) and Ibuprofen (40%). It also has a high DPPH inhibitory power (86.61%) at 0.5 mg/mL similar to that of vitamin C. Sap at the concentration of 800 mg/Kg has overall the same effects on paw inflammation as Diclofenac and results in a greater decrease in TNFα (286.15) at values similar to those of normal control rats. The therapeutic use of this sap in a traditional setting is therefore once again justified due to its proven anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hypercholesterolemia is the greatest risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The present study is conducted to evaluate the lipid lowering activity of leaves and fruits of Solanum macrocarpon, a vegetable, on Wistar rats experimentally rendered hypercholesterolemic by Triton X-100. Materials and Methods: The leaves and fruits were administered (p.o.) for 7 days to rats at doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg of body weight. Atorvastatin was used as reference treatment drug. The data were analyzed by the Brown-Forsythe ANOVA, Dunnett's T3 multiple comparison test, and Dunnett's t test. All tests were done at the 5% significance level. Results: Administration of S. macrocarpon (fruits as well as leaves) resulted in a statistically significant decrease in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides in the treated groups compared with the untreated hypercholesterolemic group, regardless of the administrated doses. A significant increase in HDL-cholesterol was observed in the treated groups. Hepatic disorders due to the Triton have been corrected by S. macrocarpon. Conclusions: This vegetable effectively suppresses experimental hypercholesterolemia in Wistar rats, suggesting a protective role in cardiovascular diseases. Its use by individuals at risk should be promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]