Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activity of Litsea glaucescens Kunth in Rodents, an Aztec Medicinal Plant Used in Pre-Columbian Times

<b>Background/Objectives:</b><i>Litsea glaucescens</i> Kunth, commonly known as "laurel," is a tree native to Mexico. The Codex Cruz-Badiano, from 1552, described it as the main ingredient of a topical anti-inflammatory recipe. This study aims to determine whether <i>L. glaucescens</i> leaf extract can reduce experimental inflammation, supporting its use in Aztec medicine. <b>Methods</b>: Methanolic extracts and fractions from the leaves of <i>L. glaucescens</i> were analyzed using techniques such as normal and reverse-phase TLC, 1H-NMR, HPLC-UV, MS, and GC-MS. The anti-inflammatory systemic activity of this methanolic extract was evaluated in mice using carrageenan-induced paw inflammation and TPA-induced ear topical inflammation models. Myeloperoxidase activity, DPPH, and TBARS assays were performed. <i>L. guatemalensis</i>, a closely related species, served as a positive control, as its biological activity has been demonstrated. <b>Results</b>: Thin-layer chromatography analysis reveals flavonoid-type compounds in the methanolic extract of <i>L. glaucescens</i> leaves, and when it was fractionated, pinocembrin and quercitrin were the main compounds found. <i>L. glaucescens</i> in mice significantly reduced carrageenan-induced paw swelling and TPA-induced ear inflammation. A decrease in myeloperoxidase activity and an increase in antioxidant activity were observed. <b>Conclusions</b>: Methanolic extract from <i>L. glaucescens</i>, administered systematically, produced significant in vivo anti-edematous effects and in vitro, antioxidant and anti-infiltrative/anti-neutrophilic activities, qualitatively like those of <i>L. guatemalensis</i>. Quercitrin and pinocembrin could contribute to these actions. It is unclear which of the two plant species was used in pre-Columbian times; However, our results show that both species contain phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting that the Aztecs recognized this medicinal property.