The aim of the study is to investigate anti-inflammatory properties of polar and non-polar extracts prepared from Critonia aromatisans and Montanoa grandiflora, two common native species used in Mayan traditional ointments to treat inflammation, joint pain and rheumatism. The anti-inflammatory properties of methanol/acetonitrile and n-hexane leaf extracts were tested in vivo and in vitro. The extracts of C. aromatisans and M. grandiflora decreased in a concentration-dependent manner lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production without affecting the cell viability. the extracts of C. aromatisans at dose of 200 mg/kg exhibited substantial anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageenan-induced paw oedema test and 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear oedema inhibition assay with a reduction in inflammation of up to 90 and 80%, respectively. These results validate the traditional uses by Mayan communities that endorse the use of this species to treat inflammation.
