In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of Lepidium sativum (L.) seeds

Abstract

Lepidium sativum seeds have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of liver dysfunction, jaundice, gastrointestinal disorders and spleen diseases. Furthermore, it was reported that these seeds have also an antioxidant, diuretic, antihypertensive, and anti-asthmatic activities. The present study aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic ex-tract of L. sativum Linn. seeds (EELS) in vivo. The anti-inflammatory activity of EELS was tested in mice weighting (25±5) g. Either PBS vehicle (control group), ethanolic extract (50mg/kg) or diclofenac (50 mg/kg), were administered (p.o) for 60 min before an oedema was induced in the mice paw by subcutaneous injection of carrageenan. The mouse-paw volume was meas-ured from 1 h to 6 h after carrageenan injection. Plasma fibrinogen, serum albumin and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were determined for each group. The EELS and the standard (diclofenac) reduced significantly (p < 0.05) paw oedema by 40.44 ± 16.36 % and 9.39 ± 1.99%, respectively compared to the control after the sixth hour after injection of carrageenan. Biomarkers of inflammation (serum albumin, CRP and plasma fibrinogen) levels were significantly (p <0.05) optimized in EELS group (assay) compared to the control. The obtained results revealed that the ethanolic extract of L. sativum Linn. seeds has a significant in vivo anti-inflammatory activity.