Efficacy of Nitraria retusa L. Fruits Aqueous and Methanol Extracts as Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities on Carrageenan-Induced Paw Edema in Rats

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous and methanol extracts of Nitraria retusa against carrageenan induced paw edema in rats. The extracts were studied for antioxidant activity using Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl assay. Male Wister rats were divided into six groups including positive and negative controls. Group 1 (normal saline) as negative control, group 2 (150 mg/kg acetylsalicylic acid) as positive control, group 3 (100 mg/kg methanolic extract), group 4 (200 mg/kg methanolic extract), group 5 (100 mg/kg aqueous extract), group 6 (200 mg/kg aqueous extract). The results showed that aqueous and methanolic extract at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly decrease paw edema (P˂0.05). Also, the results revealed that methanol extract at 200 mg/kg is more effective in inhibiting paw edema (P˂0.005) than other doses and is equal to efficacy of acetylsalicylic acid. This finding indicated that N. retusa has an anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan induced paw edema in rats. DPPH assay showed that methanol extract of N. retusa has high antioxidant activity (958.2±178.3 µg/mL) compared to aqueous extract (1249.3±233.5 µg/mL). In conclusion, N. retusa fruit extracts have an antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan induced paw edema.&nbsp