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Ethnopharmacological relevance: Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.) and dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris Moench) are herbaceous perennials employed in folk medicine for their antirheumatic, antipyretic and antiulcer properties. Aim of the study: To assess ethnomedicinal claims through investigation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective effects of F. ulmaria and F. vulgaris lyophilized flower infusions (LFIs) as well as the F. vulgaris isolated flavonoids spiraeoside, kaempferol 4'-O-glucoside, astragalin 2'-O-gallate, mixture of hyperoside 2'-O-gallate and isoquercitrin 2'-O-gallate, and a tannin tellimagrandin IL Materials and methods: Free radical scavenging activity of the tested samples was determined by examining their ability to neutralize DPPH and OH radicals in vitro, whereas reducing properties were assessed in Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay. Anti-inflammatory activity was studied ex vivo in human platelets by monitoring the effect on eicosanoid biosynthesis.. Gastroprotective action was estimated in animal model of acute gastric injury induced by ethanol. Results: LFIs and spiraeoside exerted activities comparable to those of positive control in DPPH-radical scavenging and FRAP antioxidant assays, whereas notable hydroxyl radical scavenging ability was demonstrated only for spiraeoside (IC50 = 5.1 mu g/mL). Among tested samples, astragalin 2 ''-O-gallate (IC50 = 141.1 mu g/mL) and spiraeoside (IC50 = 4.69 mu g/mL) the most markedly inhibited production of pro -inflammatory prostaglandin E-2 and 12(S)-hydroxy-(5Z,8Z,10E,14Z)-eicosatetraenoic acid in human platelets, respectively. Examination of LFIs (100-300 mg/kg, p.o.) gastroprotective action in rats revealed their capacity to preserve mucosal integrity. In addition, spiraeoside (50 mg/kg, p.o.) and tellimagrandin II (40 mg/kg, p.o.) showed ulcer preventive ability. Conclusion: Current study supports documented traditional use of investigated herbs and indicates th

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.), and dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris Moench) flowers are traditionally used to treat various ailments, including inflammatory conditions. The aim of the present study was to validate the aforementioned ethnomedicinal claim by assessing antihyperalgesic and antiedematous activities and toxicity of orally administered lyophilized flower infusions (LFIs) of F. ulmaria and F. vulgaris in experimental animals. Materials and methods: The phytochemical analysis of LFIs was performed by HPLC-DAD. Antihyperalgesic and antiedematous activities were estimated in a rat model of inflammation induced by intraplantar injection of carrageenan using Von Frey anesthesiometer and plethysmometer, respectively. Moreover, acute oral toxicity of LFIs in mice was evaluated by observing changes in animal behavior and mortality for a period of 14 days following the treatment. Results: HPLC-DAD analysis revealed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids in LFIs, among which spiraeoside was identified as the principal component (56.27 +/- 1.03 and 55.67 +/- 1.82 mg/g of LFI in F. ulmaria and F. vulgaris, respectively). The LFIs of F. ulmaria and F. vulgaris (100-300 mg/kg; p.o.) produced significant and dose-dependent antihyperalgesic effects: ED50 +/- SEM values were 164.8 +/- 15.4 mg/kg (110.3-246.3 mg/kg) and 172.2 +/- 6.2 mg/kg (147.4-201.3 mg/kg) for F. ulmaria and F. vulgaris, respectively. On the other hand, LFIs of both species (100-300 mg/kg; p.o.) did not significantly reduce edema. Good safety profiles were evidenced in the toxicological study. The median lethal dose (LD50) of the tested extracts is likely to be greater than 2000 mg/kg. Conclusion: The results of the present study support the use of F. ulmaria and F. vulgaris flowers in folk medicine for relieving pain in diseases with an inflammatory component.