Separation of active and toxic portions in Sambucus ebulus

Methanol extract of fruits, leaves and roots of Sambucus ebulus were investigated for antiinflammatory activity in rats (successively, after hexane and ethyl acetate extractions). Nearly all extracts produced statistically significant inhibition of edema induced by carrageenan at all doses when compared to the control groups. Anti-inflammatory effect was generally dose-dependent. The highest activity showed in fruits and leaves that at 600 mg kg(-1) i.p. inhibited 86 and 71% inflammation respectively (76% for diclofenac at 100 mg kg(-1) i.p.). No extracts exhibit any toxicity up to 2 g kg(-1) body weights intraperitoneally in mice. Ethyl acetate extract were withdrawn because of severe nociceptive response in rats. This extract showed severe toxicity (in particular, severe liver abscess) in all mice at all tested doses (125-1500 mg kg(-1) i.p.).