Abstract

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EVALUATION OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF MATRICARIA CHAMOMILLA L. (ASTERACEAE) IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMAL MODELS FROM MOROCCO

Abstract

Matricaria chamomilla L. has been used in Moroccan traditional medicine to relieve pain, fever, inflammation. It is also used as a mild laxative and is antispasmodic, and bactericidal. The present study explored the anti-inflammatory potential of aqueous extract of Matricaria chamomilla L. (AEMC) (Asteraceae) in rodents, using standard laboratory models. This study was carried out by using female Swiss mice (25-30g) and Wistar male rats (180-220g).The aqueous extract was prepared by using maceration at room temperature (25°) over period 24 hours. The acute toxicity studies were carried out based on OECD guidelines 423. The LD50 of AEMC was found to be more than 2g/kg and did not produce mortality or changes in general behaviour of the test animals. The aqueous extract of MC was screened for it anti-inflammatory activity properties by using carrageenan and experimental trauma-induced hind paw oedema in rodents at 300 and 500 mg/kg. Indomethacin at 10 and 20 mg/kg was used as standard. From the results obtained the aqueous extract of Matricaria chamomilla L. showed significant activity comparable to the control and reference drug used in both models. This study showed the justification of the use of Matricaria chamomilla L. in the treatment of inflammatory disease conditions in Morocco. However pharmacodynamics studies should be undertaken to establish the mechanism of action of the plant extract and the active chemical constituents when isolated will be added to the present anti-inflammatory agents.

Keywords: Matricaria chamomilla L., Anti-inflammatory activity, Carrageenan, Indomethacin, Rat paw oedema