Vernonia cinerea L. scavenges free radicals and regulates nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines profile in carrageenan induced paw edema model

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the medicinal plant, Vernonia cinerea L (Asteraceae) using in vitro as well as in vivo models. Methanolic extract of Vernonia cinerea was found to scavenge the hydroxyl radical generated by Fenton reaction (IC₅₀130 μg/ml), Superoxide generated by photo reduction of riboflavin (IC₅₀190 μg/ml) and inhibited lipid peroxidation significantly (IC₅₀130.5 μg/ml). The drug also scavenged nitric oxide (IC₅₀210 μg/ml). Intraperitoneal administration of Vernonia cinerea was found to inhibit the PMA induced Superoxide generation in mice peritoneal macrophages. The administration of Vernonia cinerea to mice significantly increased the levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S transferase in blood and liver, whereas lipid peroxidation activity was significantly decreased. It was also found that Vernonia cinerea extract significantly inhibited carrageenan induced inflammation, compared with control models. Down regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine level and gene expression were also support the above result.

Keywords::

• Antioxidant
• anti-inflammation
• TNF-α
• CRP
• vernonia cinerea

Acknowledgement

We are grateful to Dr. Ramadasan Kuttan, Research Director, Amala Cancer Research Centre, for encouraging and providing the facilities to carry out this work.