title: Anti-inflammatory activity of dried flower extracts of Aegle marmelos in Wistar rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Almost all part of the plant Aegle marmelos (Bael tree) has been used in the traditional medicine systems of Asian countries to treat various diseases over many centuries. The water extract of the dried flowers of Aegle marmelos is a commonly used beverage among Sri Lankan population in rural areas. Although extensive investigations done on many parts of the plant there are no experimental data available on the extracts of flowers. Anti-inflammatory effect of the water extract of dried flowers of Aegle marmelos (WEAM) was evaluated in the present study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The anti-inflammatory effect of the WEAM was evaluated by inhibition of the rat paw oedema, induced by carrageenan. The mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect was assessed by the inhibition of production of nitric oxide (NO) by rat peritoneal cells, infiltration of rat peritoneal cells, anti-histamine effect, membrane stabilization activity, the antioxidant capacity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation by the WEAM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The maximum percentage inhibition of paw oedema was exhibited by the dose of 200 mg/kg at 2 h. The WEAM showed a significant increment of rat peritoneal cell infiltration, inhibition of NO production by rat peritoneal cells and inhibition of wheal formation on the skin of the rat after injection of histamine. The WEAM protected the erythrocyte membrane from heat-induced lysis in a dose-dependent manner and showed a significant anti-oxidant effect and lipid peroxidation inhibition activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The WEAM possesses significant anti-inflammatory effect by multiple mechanisms in Wistar rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawilla, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: K D K P
authors.initials: KDKP
authors.lastname: Kumari
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawilla, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: T C S
authors.initials: TCS
authors.lastname: Weerakoon
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Handunnetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawilla, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Samarasinghe
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawilla, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka. Electronic address: malalavidhane@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Suresh
mesh_terms: D045471:Aegle; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002351:Carrageenan; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D035264:Flowers; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000166:cytology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D009573:Nitrites; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D000431:Ethanol; D002351:Carrageenan
keywords: Aegle marmelos; Anti-inflammatory; Mechanisms; Rats