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Planta Med 2016; 82(17): 1463-1467
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-108856
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Pomegranate Leaf Extract in LPS-Induced Peritonitis

Lucia C. F. Marques
1   Programa de Pós-Graduação, Universidade CEUMA, Sao Luis, Brazil
,
Aruanã J. M. C. R. Pinheiro
1   Programa de Pós-Graduação, Universidade CEUMA, Sao Luis, Brazil
,
João G. G. Araújo
2   Centro de Pesquisa Clínica, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, Brazil
,
Raimundo A. G. de Oliveira
2   Centro de Pesquisa Clínica, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, Brazil
,
Selma N. Silva
3   Laboratorio de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
,
Iracelle C. Abreu
3   Laboratorio de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
,
Eduardo M. de Sousa
1   Programa de Pós-Graduação, Universidade CEUMA, Sao Luis, Brazil
,
Elizabeth S. Fernandes
1   Programa de Pós-Graduação, Universidade CEUMA, Sao Luis, Brazil
4   Vascular Biology and Inflammation Section, Cardiovascular Division, London, UK
,
André D. Luchessi
5   Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
,
Vivian N. Silbiger
5   Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
,
Roberto Nicolete
6   Laboratório de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Porto Velho, Brazil
,
Lidio G. Lima-Neto
1   Programa de Pós-Graduação, Universidade CEUMA, Sao Luis, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 04 March 2016
revised 15 May 2016

accepted 16 May 2016

Publication Date:
28 June 2016 (online)

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Abstract

Folk medicine suggests that pomegranate (peels, seeds and leaves) has anti-inflammatory properties; however, the precise mechanisms by which this plant affects the inflammatory process remain unclear. Herein, we analyzed the anti-inflammatory properties of a hydroalcoholic extract prepared from pomegranate leaves using a rat model of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute peritonitis. Male Wistar rats were treated with either the hydroalcoholic extract, sodium diclofenac, or saline, and 1 h later received an intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharides. Saline-injected animals (i. p.) were used as controls. Animals were culled 4 h after peritonitis induction, and peritoneal lavage and peripheral blood samples were collected. Serum and peritoneal lavage levels of TNF-α as well as TNF-α mRNA expression in peritoneal lavage leukocytes were quantified. Total and differential leukocyte populations were analyzed in peritoneal lavage samples. Lipopolysaccharide-induced increases of both TNF-α mRNA and protein levels were diminished by treatment with either pomegranate leaf hydroalcoholic extract (57 % and 48 % mean reduction, respectively) or sodium diclofenac (41 % and 33 % reduction, respectively). Additionally, the numbers of peritoneal leukocytes, especially neutrophils, were markedly reduced in hydroalcoholic extract-treated rats with acute peritonitis. These results demonstrate that pomegranate leaf extract may be used as an anti-inflammatory drug which suppresses the levels of TNF-α in acute inflammation.

Key words

Punica granatum - Punicaceae - anti-inflammatory effect - cytokine - neutrophils - pomegranate
 

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