Anti-inflammatory activity of the apolar extract from the seaweed Galaxaura marginata (Rhodophyta, Nemaliales)

the red seaweed galaxaura marginata (ellis & solander) lamouroux, well known by the antibacterial activity of its polar extract and the cytotoxic activity of its oxygenated desmosterol, showed anti-inflammatory action in its apolar fraction. topical anti-inflammatory activity was observed in samples collected at s？o sebasti？o channel, northern littoral of s？o paulo state, brazil. the apolar extract and its fractions obtained through thin-layer chromatography (tlc) reduced the topical inflammation produced by croton oil in mouse ear. such data indicated that the apolar extract from the marine red alga g. marginata displayed anti-inflammatory activity (since 1mg/ear extract reduced 95±0.5% inflammation), which could be the result of the synergic activity of the four fractions present in the apolar extract.