Evaluation of the Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Parameters of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Roman chamomile in mice

The injection of carrageenan in mouse paws causes inflammation and pain via enhancement of reactive oxygen species formation. In the present study, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Chamaemelum nobile commonly known as Roman chamomile (RC) were assayed in carrageenan induced mice paw edema. Results showed that RC ethanolic extract is able to inhibit the development of paw edema. Moreover, oral pretreatment of RC ethanolic extract significantly decreased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1𝛽, tumor necrosis factor-𝛼 (TNF-𝛼) and IL-6. RC ethanolic extract showed significant radical scavenging effect by inhibition of lipid peroxidation and increasing antioxidant enzyme activities including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT). However, the elevation of these enzyme activities by RC aqueous extract was not significant. Generally, RC ethanolic extract showed better inhibitory effect on inflammation, which is similar to the effect of the anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin. Thus, it is suggested that RC possesses anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory cytokines and reducing the oxidative damage. Therefore, this plant can be one of the alternatives for treating inflammatory conditions.