Abstract:The cytosolic phospholipase A 2 α (cPLA 2 α) is one of the potential targets for anti-inflammatory drugs, since this enzyme plays a key role in the inflammation processes seen in health disorders, like asthma, allergic reactions, arthritis and neuronal diseases. In this study, cPLA 2 α inhibition by 43 methanol extracts from medicinal plants rich in polyphenols was determined. The eight most active extracts were derived from Ribes nigrum (IC 50 of 27.7 µg/mL), Ononis spinosa (IC 50 of 39.4 µg/mL), Urtica dioica (IC 50 of 44.32 µg/mL), Betula sp. (IC 50 of 58.02 µg/mL), Sanguisorba officinalis (IC 50 of 76.25 µg/mL), Orthosiphon stamineus (IC 50 of 78.83 µg/mL), Petasites hybridus (IC 50 of 81.02 µg/mL) and Tussilago farfara (IC 50 of 123.28 µg/mL). Additionally, the antioxidant activities of these extracts were determined with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and their phenolic content with the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Antioxidant activity showed a non-linear, positive correlation to the phenolic content, but no correlation of PLA 2 α inhibition with phenolic content could be established. This study provides evidence that cPLA 2 α may be a relevant target for anti-inflammatory agents.