[Screening of anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in marines macroalgae from Mediterranean Sea]

Methanolic extracts of 13 seaweeds collected from the Mediterranean sea (Tunisian, Moroccan and Greek coasts) from different classes (Chlorophycae, Pheopbycae and Rhodophycae) are testedfor their analgesic and antiinflammatory effects. These activities were estimated in vivo, respectively by writhing test and carrageenan test. Nine species among 13 tested seaweeds showed an important analgesic activity. On the other hand only 5 seaweeds showed a significant anti-inflammatory activity (< 0.001 compared to control group). The percentage of inhibition reached 80% for the red algae Laurencia glandulifera but was only 50% for aspirin. The screening showed different pharmacological profiles. The red algae (Laurencia glandulfera and Hypnea musciformis) and brown algae (Cystoseira barbata and Sargassum vulgare) had endowed with the double analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. The red algae Geliduim sesquipedale have only anti-inflammatory activity and the other one endowed only with an analgesic activity (Enteromorpha compressa, Chaetomorpha linum, Cystoseira ericoidies, Sacchoriza bulbosa et Corralina officinalis). The simultaneous or individual presence of the analgesic and\or anti-inflammatory activities of the various extracts can find its application in the therapeutic domain.