Anti-inflammatory Activity of <i>Matricaria recutita</i> L. against Acute and Chronic Inflammatory Models

Abstract

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) is most popular used medicinal plant and extensively consumed as a tea and food. We investigated the effects of Matricaria recutita L. (MR) in acute and chronic inflammatory conditions. The anti-inflammatory activity of Matricaria recutita was studied against carrageenan induced hind paw, arachidonic acid, acetic acid and complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in rats. The methanol extract of Matricaria recutita was administered at the dose of 100, 200 and 300  mg/kg body weight. In CFA-induced model ESR, vascular permeability, histamine release from blood and biochemical parameters were carried out. Chamomile methanol extract showed dose dependent significant   (P<0.001) anti-inflammatory activity by inhibition of rat paw oedema  against carrageenan and arachidonic acid and inhibition of writhing induced by acetic acid. The significant anti-arthritic activity was observed with  administration of Chamomile extract in the Freund’s adjuvant induced model of arthritis. Chronic treatment of extract of Chamomile showed  significant decrease the development of arthritis and reduced ESR  observed. It also reduced the histamine release from blood and vascular permeability at joint. The methanol extract of Matricaria recutita possess potential anti-inflammatory activity against acute and chronic inflammatory model.