Environ Exp Biol (2016) 14: 127–135

Phenolic content, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Anacyclus clavatus extracts

Abstract

The anti-inflammatory and the antioxidant activities of methanol (ME) and aqueous (AE) extracts of Anacyclus clavatus were evaluated. Phenolic constituents in the extracts were screened. Croton oil-induced ear edema in mice, carrageenan-induced paw edema and pleurisy in rats were evoked. The antioxidant effect was tested by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, ion chelating, lipid peroxidation tests. Both extracts are rich in phenolic compounds. The application of 2 mg per ear of ME or AE inhibited ear edema by 84 and 83%, respectively. The oral treatment of rats with 200 or 400 mg kg^–1 of ME reduced paw edema by 64 and 74%, respectively, whereas the inhibition by AE was by 65 and 80%, respectively. At 400 mg kg^–1, the extracts decreased exudation and neutrophil migration into the pleural cavity by 64 and 66%, respectively, while the inhibition by AE was 42 and 55%, respectively. On the other hand, ME exerted scavenging activity higher than AE, while the AE chelating activity was more than that of ME. However, both extracts had similar inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation. In general, A. clavatus may be used as a source of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agents.