The effects of hydro- alcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum on cell migration and inflammatory mediators production in acute peritonitis induced by Zymosan in NMRI mice

Zymosan-induced peritonitis model can use to study the recruitment of monocytes and neutrophils into the peritoneal cavity and to study the effects of existing and novel anti-inflammatory drugs. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum Perforatum on acute peritonitis induced by Zymosan in NMRI mice.
Fifty male NMRI mice were randomly allocated in 10 equal gropes and treated with 0 ,100, 200 or 400 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract of H. Perforatum and or 10mg/kg diclofenac 1 hours before the induction of peritonitis. To induce peritonitis, each mouse intraperitoneally received 10 µg of zymosan in 0.4 ml of saline. After 48 h, the peritoneal cavity was lavaged by 5 ml of cold PBS and the isolated cells were used to evaluate cell differential count, nitric oxide production and severity of respiratory burst. Statistical dada tests were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney and Bonferroni adjustment.
The data showed that the nitric oxide and respiratory burst which was produced from exudate cells by peritoneal lavage in mice that received H. Perforatum at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg or diclofenac compared to mice received normal saline were reduced. Total cell number in peritoneal cavity significantly decreased in all treatment group. However, no significant difference was observed between treatment groups with Hypericum perforatum extract. Using diclofenac or hydroalcoholic extract of H. Perforatum caused a significant decrease in the levels of TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6. Diclofenac caused more profound reduction in the levels of TNF-α, IL-1 compared to extract. Nevertheless, the level of IL-6 was indicated a significant decrease in mice with peritonitis received hydroalcoholic extract especially in dose 400 mg/kg compared to mice with peritonitis received diclofenac.
In total it seems that the hydroalcholic extract of H. Perforatum may be a suitable as natural source to control inflammation caused by acute peritonitis.