Anti-inflammatory and anti-granuloma activity of Berberis aristata DC. in experimental models of inflammation.
OBJECTIVE
Berberis aristata (Berberidaceae) is an important medicinal plant used in traditional system of medicine for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory disorders. The aim of the present study is to scientifically validate the traditional use of BA in the treatment of inflammatory disorders.


METHODS
Anti-inflammatory and anti-granuloma activity of BA hydroalcoholic extract (BAHE) were evaluated in experimental models, viz., carrageenan-induced paw edema, cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation, and complete Freund's adjuvant-induced stimulation of peritoneal macrophages in rats. Expression of inflammatory mediators, viz., tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-10, TNF-R1, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was carried out in serum and peritoneal macrophages to derive the plausible mechanism of BAHE in activated peritoneal macrophages.


RESULTS
Pretreatment with BAHE produced a dose-dependent reduction (P < 0.01) in carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma model. BAHE treatment produced significant (P < 0.01) reduction in serum inflammatory cytokine levels as compared to control. Protein expression of pro-inflammatory markers, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-R1, and COX-2, was found to be reduced in stimulated macrophages whereas anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, was upregulated in peritoneal macrophages.


CONCLUSIONS
The result of the present study thus demonstrates the anti-inflammatory and anti-granuloma activity of BAHE which may be attributed to its inhibitory activity on macrophage-derived cytokine and mediators.
Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Rohit
R
Kumar
Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Yogendra Kumar
YK
Gupta
Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Surender
S
Singh
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028142:Berberis / Q000737:chemistry*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D006099:Granuloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D010936:Plant Extracts
Complete Freund's adjuvant; inflammation; macrophage; pro-inflammatory cytokines