Antioxidant, Anti-Hemolytic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Aqueous Extract of Aerial Parts of Rosmarinus Tournefortii

Abstract

Objective: this study aims to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-hemolytic and anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous extract of Rosmarinus tournefortii collected from Setif region.

Methods: Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and aluminium chloride assays, respectively. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), β-carotene/linoleic acid and anti-hemolytic assays. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity was assessed in mice using croton oil-induced ear edema and carrageenan-induced paw edema models.

Results: Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of aqueous extract of R. tournefortii showed 127.36 ± 7.93 mg Gallic acid equivalent/g of dry weight and 14.75 ± 0.12 mg Quecetin equivalent/g of dry weight, respectively. In vitro antioxidant assays revealed that aqueous extract showed important DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 20 ± 0.55 µg/ml) and effective inhibition of peroxidation of linoleic acid of AA % = 61.52 ± 4.00%. The anti-hemolytic test demonstrated that the aqueous extract was more effective than ascorbic acid (used as a standard) in protecting red blood cells. In vivo study on anti-inflammatory activity showed that the treatment with aqueous extract of R. tournefortii at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg possesses a remarkable anti-inflammatory effect in both croton oil- and carrageenan-induced inflammatory models.

Conclusion: Aqueous extract of R. tournefortii has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and may be important sources of novel antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drugs.