Anti-inflammatory polysaccharides of Azadirachta indica seed tegument

Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Meliaceae, or Indian neem is a plant used to treat inûammatory disorders. Total polysaccharide (TPL) and FI (fractioned by ion exchange chromatography) from the seed tegument of A. indica were evaluated in models of acute inflammation (paw edema/peritonitis) using Wistar rats. Paw edema (measured by hydroplethysmometry) was induced s.c. by Λ-carrageenan (300 µg), histamine (100 µg), serotonin (20 µg), compound 48/80 (10 µg), prostaglandin (PGE2 30 µg) or L-arginine (15 µg). Peritonitis (analyzed for leukocyte counts/protein dosage) was induced i.p. by carra...