Antioxidant-Anti-Inflammatory Evaluation of a Polyherbal Formula

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Natural Product Chemistry
• Immunology

Background:

• Inflammation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are central to many acute and chronic diseases.
• Herbal remedies have a traditional role in managing inflammation, particularly when ROS are implicated.
• A patented preparation combining Populus nigra and Rosmarinus officinalis extracts was investigated for its therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of a novel herbal preparation.
• To characterize the chemical composition of the preparation, focusing on polyphenol content.
• To explore its potential as an adjunct therapy for oxidative stress and inflammation-related diseases.

Main Methods:

• Chemical characterization using High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
• In vitro antioxidant activity assessed via DPPH assay and phosphomolybdenum method.
• In vitro anti-inflammatory effects evaluated on TNF-α-stimulated Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) by measuring nitrite production and ICAM-1 expression.
• In vivo anti-inflammatory activity assessed using a rat paw edema model.

Main Results:

• The herbal formula demonstrated significant free radical scavenging activity (50-85% at 1-10 mg/mL).
• It dose-dependently inhibited nitrite production and ICAM-1 expression in stimulated HUVECs, with maximal inhibition of 58.7%.
• The preparation exhibited a clear anti-inflammatory effect in vivo, with rapid onset and reduction within 180 minutes.

Conclusions:

• The patented herbal preparation possesses notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• High polyphenol content contributes to its bioactivity.
• This new product shows therapeutic promise as an adjunct to conventional treatments for diseases involving oxidative stress and inflammation.