
N.N.L.M. Anh et al / Vietnam Journal of Community Medicine, Vol. 66, Special Issue 4, 283-289
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STUDY ON ACUTE TOXICITY AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
EFFECTS OF EUODIA LEPTA STEM EXTRACT IN MICE
Nguyen Ngoc Chuong, Nguyen Thi Hong Hieu, Nguyen Ngo Le Minh Anh*
University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh city - 217 Hong Bang, district 5, Ho Chi Minh city, Viet Nam
Received: 17/02/2025
Reviced: 26/3/2025; Accepted: 11/4/2025
ABSTRACT
Objectives: Supplement the scientific evidence on the safety profile and therapeutic potential of the
Euodia lepta stem extract in aiding the treatment of inflammation, through acute toxicity evaluations
and in vivo assessments of anti-inflammatory activity in mice.
Subjects and methods: Powder of Euodia lepta stem (2 kg) was extracted by the percolation method
with 96% ethanol and concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain 0.108 kg of crude extract,
achieving an extraction efficiency of 5.04%. The chemical composition of alkaloids, flavonoids,
coumarins and saponins is determined by characteristic chemical reactions. The main active alkaloid
(dictamnine, evolitrine, and kokusaginine) in the extract was determined by thin layer
chromatography. The acute oral toxicity of the extract was determined by the Behrens method in
mice. An in vivo anti-inflammatory test was conducted using a carrageenan-induced paw edema
model in mice, and the degree of paw swelling was measured to evaluate the anti-inflammatory
efficacy of the extract.
Results: The chemical composition of alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarin and saponin were identified.
The main alkaloid constituents in the extract were performed using thin-layer chromatography, which
corresponded to those of the standard reference alkaloids dictamnine, evolitrine, and kokusaginine.
The inability to determine the LD50 of the Euodia lepta stem extract when administered orally to
mice at a maximum dose of 35 g/kg body weight suggests that the extract has a relatively high safety
profile, as no signs of lethality were observed even at such a high dose. The Euodia lepta stem extract
at a dose of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg significantly reduced paw edema in mice, with this effect
showing a statistically significant difference compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Furthermore,
the extract demonstrated equivalent effectiveness in reducing paw edema compared to the positive
control group treated with diclofenac (5 mg/kg) at 3 hours after carrageenan sub-plantar injection (p
< 0.01) and superior efficacy at 24 hours after (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The Euodia lepta stem extract is not only safe but also demonstrates a significant effect
in reducing paw edema compared to conventional anti-inflammatory drugs. The stem of Euodia lepta
may have the potential to develop into an effective anti-inflammatory medicinal herb.
Keywords: Euodia lepta stem, Melicope ptelefolia, alkaloid, acute toxicity, anti-inflammatory.
Vietnam Journal of Community Medicine, Vol. 66, Special Issue 4, 283-289
*Corresponding author
Email: drminhanh@ump.edu.vn Phone: (+84) 962644648 Https://doi.org/10.52163/yhc.v66iCD4.2366