Anti-inflammatory Activities of Nannorrhops ritchieana(Griff.) Aitch Inflorescence Extract in an Animal Model

 Nannorrhops ritchieana(N.ritchieana) is the sole species in the genus Nannorrhops in the palm family of Arecaceae. Regarding the use of N. ritchieana inflorescence (NER) in the folklore medicine of the south of Iran for relieving inflammation and pain in inflammation-based disorders, the current study assessed the anti-inflammatory features of N. Ritchieana inflorescence extract (NRE) in animal models.

 The carrageenan-induced paw edema method was used to evaluate theacute anti-inflammatory effects of the NRE extract (50,100, and 200mg/kg, IP). The standardand control groups received mefenamic acid and normal saline. Then, the rat’s paw tissues were removed and collected for studying tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) level. In addition, the cotton pellet-induced granuloma method was utilized to assess the chronic anti-inflammatory effects of the extract (100 and 200 mg/kg IP). Standard and control groups received indomethacin and saline. On the last day of the cotton pellet test, the rat’s serum was collected for interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) determination.

 In the carrageenan test, the extract significantly reduced the paw edema compared to the control (p<0.05). The extract’s anti-inflammatory activity (100 and 200 mg/kg) was the same as the mefenamic acid group. TNF-α levels demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects just at the dose of 200 mg/kg. In granuloma induced by cotton pellets, NRE was also effective based on the granuloma formation and the transudate amount. The anti-inflammatory activity of the inflorescence extract(100 and 200 mg/kg) was found to be the same as the indomethacin group, whereas IL-1β did not represent significant changes.

 According to the results, NRE had a considerable anti-inflammatory effect.