Solanum dasyphyllum leaf extract reduces inflammation in carrageenan-induced air pouch in rats by inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase

Purpose Solanum dasyphyllum Schumach. & Thonn leaf is a vegetable used in folkloric medicine to alleviate pain, fever-related illnesses and inflammatory arthritis. This study was designed to evaluate the mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of the ethylacetate fraction of methanol extract of S. dasyphyllum (SdEAF) in carrageenan-induced air pouch in rats. Methods The anti-inflammatory activity of SdEAF was investigated in carrageenan-induced air pouch. Pouch exudates volume, neutrophil counts, protein, nitrites, TNF-α, malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were determined. Cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expressions were also determined. The fingerprint of SdEAF was obtained using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results The SdEAF significantly reduced exudates volume after 24 h and 72 h of intrapouch carrageenan injection. The SdEAF also significantly reduced exudates neutrophil counts, protein, nitrites, TNF-α and malondialdehyde while GSH was increased. The SdEAF reduced expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 and iNOS in carrageenan pouch tissues. The fingerprint of SdEAF revealed caffeic acid, rutin and quercetin relative to standard compounds. Conclusion Ethylacetate fraction of methanol extract of S. dasyphyllum leaves exhibited anti-inflammatory activities mediated through inhibition of neutrophil recruitment, tumor necrosis factor release and cyclooxygenase-2 up regulation.