Potential of Azadirachta indica against Salmonella typhimurium-induced inflammation in BALB/c mice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the potential of Azadirachta indica leaf extracts against Salmonella typhimurium-induced inflammation in BALB/c mice.


METHODS
Qualitative tests of A. indica leaf extracts were conducted for screening of various phytochemicals. The antiinflammatory potential of A. indica leaf extracts on S. typhimurium and its outer membrane proteins (OMPs)-induced inflammation was assessed by hyperalgesic (flicking) response of the mice inflamed paws. The monokines (IL-1alpha, IL-6 and TNF-alpha) activities in the culture supernatants of macrophages (infected with bacteria and interacted with OMPs) in the presence or absence of A. indica leaf extracts was assessed by ELISA.


RESULTS
Aqueous and petroleum ether A. indica leaf extracts reduced the inflammation caused by S. typhimurium and its OMPs as assessed by paw flicking response. Petroleum ether A. indica leaf extract was found to be more effective than aqueous A. indica leaf extract. Significantly lower levels of monokines (IL-6 and TNF-alpha) were also observed in the presence of petroleum ether A. indica leaf extracts than aqueous A. indica leaf extract. These observations may be due to the presence of steroids and triterpenoids observed in petroleum ether extract.


CONCLUSIONS
Petroleum ether A. indica leaf extract seems promising to combat S. typhimurium-induced inflammation.
Koul
A
A
Department of Biophysics, Basic Medical Sciences Block, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160014, India. ashwanik@pu.ac.in
Bharrhan
S
S
Singh
B
B
Rishi
P
P
D000473:Alkanes / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031601:Azadirachta / Q000737:chemistry*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D053582:Interleukin-1alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000378:metabolism; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D000473:Alkanes; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D053582:Interleukin-1alpha; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C004544:naphtha