Chemical composition, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the petrol ether extract of Pinellia cordata

The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of the petrol ether extract of Pinellia cordata (PEPC) was investigated using the xylene-induced ear edema and acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice. PEPC was administered intragastrically (i.g.) at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg. It had significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities with dose dependent manner. The chemical components of PEPC were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and the main components were melissane (20.1%), τ-sitosterol (13.9%) and linoleic acid (10.1%). These data may afford scientific basis on the traditional use of the plant for painful and inflammatory conditions.   Key words: Anti-inflammatory, analgesic activity, Pinellia cordata, petrol ether extract, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS).