Achillea santolina reduces serum interleukin-6 level and hyperalgesia during complete Freund's adjuvant-induced inflammation in male Wistar rats.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Immune system is involved in the etiology and pathophysiologic mechanisms of inflammation. Medicinal plants are an important source of substances which are claimed to induce non-specific immunomodulatory effects. In view of this and on account of the interleukin (IL)-6's role in inflammation and pain induction, this study investigated the effects of Achillea santolina extracts on inflammation which was induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in male Wistar rats.

METHODS:

Both methanolic and defatted extracts prepared from aerial parts of the plant were examined. Inflammatory symptoms such as hyperalgesia and paw edema in CFA-injected rats' paw were measured by radiant heat and plethysmometer during different stages of study respectively. Serum IL-6 level was checked by rat standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay specific kit.

RESULTS:

The results indicated dose-related effects of methanolic extract on paw edema, hyperalgesia and serum IL-6 level reduction in rats. Methanolic extract of A. santolina exhibited significant antihyperalgesic and anti-inflammatory effects during pretreatment and short-term treatment at dose of 200 mg/kg and there was no significant difference between 200 and 400 mg/kg doses of this extract. Defatted extract did not show significant effect on CFA-induced inflammation during different stages of treatment (P>0.05). Short-term treatment with methanolic extract at dose of 200 mg/kg was more effective than indomethacin in edema, hyperalgesia and serum IL-6 level reduction (P<0.01, P<0.01 and P<0.05 respectively).

CONCLUSION:

These results suggest that methanolic extract of A. santolina possesses potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities during pretreatment and short-term administration.

• Authors: Jalal Zaringhalam, Akhtar Akbari, Elaheh Tekieh, Homa Manaheji, Shamsali Rezazadeh
• Journal: Zhong xi yi jie he xue bao = Journal of Chinese integrative medicine (Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao) Vol. 8 Issue 12 Pg. 1180-9 (Dec 2010) ISSN: 1672-1977 [Print] China
• PMID: 21144462 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Interleukin-6
• Plant Extracts
• Freund's Adjuvant

Topics

• Achillea (chemistry)
• Animals
• Freund's Adjuvant (adverse effects)
• Hyperalgesia (drug therapy)
• Inflammation (blood, chemically induced)
• Interleukin-6 (blood)
• Male
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar