Objectives: In recent times, the use of natural remedies, which are rich in varieties of vitamins and flavonoids, for treatment of inflammation has increased substantially. These natural remedies are expected to be safe and economical when compared with other conventional allopathic drugs. Thus, existing research investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of Nelumbo nucifera fruit (NNF), in view of estimating its traditional and pharmacologic use against disorders associated with pain and inflammation.
Materials and methods: To estimate the antiinflammatory effect of NNF, carrageenan-induced paw edema method was employed with equally distributed (n=7) Wistar male rats (N=35). The paw edema was measured by volume displacement method with plethysmometer.
Results: The NNF extract significantly reduced the inflammation of the paw and decreased the edema volume in rats administered carrageenan at all doses from the 3rd to 5th hour when compared to control, whose maximum percent reduction of edema was estimated as 100 mg/kg dose (that is, 73.92% at the 5th hour after administration of carrageenan).
Conclusion: NNF exhibited a strong antiinflammatory effect, due to its phytochemical constituents, including flavonoids, saponins, and tannins, all of which synergistically exert inhibitory effects on arachidonic acid metabolism, neutrophil degranulation, and enzyme systems that promote cell proliferation and regulation of complement system. However, more preclinical and clinical evaluations are mandatory to validate these findings.
Keywords: Nelumbo nucifera; arachidonic acid; carrageenan; flavonoids.