Evaluation Of The Anti-Inflammatory Pharmacological Effects Of Artemisia Annua Extracts Artemisinin In Vitro And In Vivo

Abstract

Artemisia annua L. is acknowledged as a traditional medicinal plant bearing potent antimalarial, antileishmanial, antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant potential. Therefore, this study was carried out to explore the anti-inflammatory impact of A. annua both in vitro and in vivo in rabbit models. We procured fresh A. annua plant material from local nurseries and Artemisinin was extracted from its leaves. The anti-inflammatory potential of the herb was found significant (p<0.05) in terms of IC-50 against the control. For in vivo trial, 50 rabbits were procured and 5-HT were injected parenterally into their paws to generate inflammation and were subsequently treated with Artemisinin, acetylsalicylic acid, and normal saline for the control group. Rabbits were treated using three different concentrations of Artemisinin @ 100mg/ml, 200mg/ml and 500mg/ml in Group A, B and C, respectively, while, Group D using Acetylsalicylic acid @ 80mg/Kg and Group E served as control. The rabbits of Group C demonstrated the greatest reduction in inflammation in the inflamed paws of model rabbits within the first four hours of treatment and significantly (p<0.05) reduced the swelling after two and four hours by 40 and 60 per cent, respectively. Artemisinin has a thus potent anti-inflammatory effect and can be employed as commercial anti inflammatory medicine.