Abstract

Ugni molinae (murtilla, Myrtaceae) is a native species whose leaves have been used in Chilean folk medicine to treat inflammation and pain. The aim of this work was to study the leaves of ten murtilla genotypes and study the anti-anflammatory properties comparatively. To carry out this study, serial extracts of leaves of different genotypes murtilla were prepared and evaluated: ethyl acetate extracts (EAE) and ethanol (EET). To evaluate the oral anti-inflammatory activity in vivo the model mouse ear edema with phorbol ester (TPA) as the inflammation-inducing agent was used. Differences in the anti-inflammatory effect of the different genotypes were observed, EAE showed the highest anti-inflammatory effects: 36.6% and 32.1 % for the genotypes 23-2 and 19-2, respectively. The EET genotypes with the highest anti-inflammatory effects were 31-1 and 22-1, with 35.5 % and 35.3%, respectively. Statistical significance was evaluated using the Kruskal - Wallis test and Dunnett 's multiple test .The triterpenoids identified in their leaves are part of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic active principles. The chemical study shows significant differences between genotypes in terms of the profile of triterpenoids, partly explaining the differences in anti-inflammatory activities.