Bixa orellana Leaves Extract Inhibits Bradykinin-Induced Inflammation through Suppression of Nitric Oxide Production

• Published in: Medical principles and practice Vol. 20; no. 2; pp. 142 - 146
• Main Authors: Yoke Keong, Y., Arifah, A.K., Sukardi, S., Roslida, A.H., Somchit, M.N., Zuraini, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland 01.01.2011
• Subjects: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Biological Assay; Bixaceae - chemistry; Bradykinin - antagonists & inhibitors; Bradykinin - drug effects; Capillary Permeability - drug effects; Disease Models, Animal; Edema - drug therapy; Inflammation - drug therapy; Male; Nitric Oxide - antagonists & inhibitors; Nitric Oxide - biosynthesis; Original Paper; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Bixa orellana; Anti-inflammatory; Vascular permeability; Bradykinin
• ISSN: 1011-7571; 1423-0151
• DOI: 10.1159/000319907

Objective: The present study was conducted to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of a crude aqueous extract of Bixa orellana leaves (AEBO) and to examine the possible involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in its anti-inflammatory mechanism. Materials and Methods: The air-dried, powdered leaves were soaked in distilled water (1:20 w/v) at 50°C for 24 h and the supernatant obtained was freeze-dried (yield 8.5% w/w). The dosage was recorded as the mass of extract per kg b.w. of rats in all inflammatory assays (bradykinin-induced paw edema, peritoneal vascular permeability and NO assay). Results: Pretreatment with AEBO for 4 consecutive days exhibited significant inhibitory activity against inflammatory models, the bradykinin-induced hind paw edema model and bradykinin-induced increased peritoneal vascular permeability at both doses in dose-dependent manner. In addition, AEBO was also found to significantly suppress the production of NO at doses of 50 and 150 mg/kg. Conclusion: This study provides scientific data to support the traditional use of B. orellana leaves in treating inflammation. Results from this study suggest that AEBO exerts anti-inflammatory effects. Part of this anti-inflammatory effect may be associated with its antibradykinin activity and may be related to a reduction of the NO production.