To screen the anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling active fraction of Stellera chamaejasme Daphne odora, and to preliminarily explore its pharmacodynamics and mechanism of action.

The toe swelling model was established in SD rats. The toe swelling, serum inflammatory factors and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were detected by daubing different extracts of Daphne odora chamaejasme and its ointment.

The water extract and ethanol precipitation of the drug had better anti-inflammatory and detumescence effect. The content was objective and the extraction process was simple. The 80% ethanol extract showed good anti-inflammatory and detumescence activity, but the drug activity was not as good as the former extract. Two types of extracts were formulated into an ointment for the aforementioned model experiments. The results indicated that, compared to the model group, the ointment significantly inhibited the swelling degree of inflammatory paw edema induced by carrageenan in rats. The serum samples of the experimental animals were analyzed for IL-1β and other inflammatory factors. Compared with the model group, the anti-inflammatory effect of the ointment was supported by IL-1β levels and the observations from tissue pathology sections. The activity of SOD was increased.

Extract A and extract B are the effective parts of anti-inflammation and anti-swelling of Stellera chamaejasme Daphne odora.