Scientific African (Nov 2023)
Arctium lappa root extract based emulgels attenuate inducible cytokines and prostaglandins formation: Potential in the management of chronic inflammatory disorders
Abstract
Background: Chronic inflammation contributes significantly to the burden suffered in many disease conditions in Africa with modern treatments often inaccessible to many. Phytotherapy presents a useful way to accelerate access to Universal health coverage with minimal incurred costs. The study was aimed at exploring the in vitro anti-inflammatory action and formulation of Arctium lappa root, a plant grown and available in different regions in Africa, as an herbal emulgel for the management of chronic inflammation Methods: Methanol root extract of Arctium lappa (0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 % w/w) was used for pre-formulation analysis. Phytochemical screening of the extract was done using the Harborne's standardized method for phytochemical analyses. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was studied by evaluating inhibitory actions of the extracts on Prostaglandin-E (PGE), tumour necrotic factor-α (TNF-α) and cyclooxygenase II (COX-2) using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Post formulation, the percentage inhibition of the pro-inflammatory cytokines by the herbal emulgels were compared with commercial diclofenac emulgel. The physicochemical properties of the herbal emulgels were also determined. Results: The preliminary qualitative phytochemical analysis of Arctium lappa root extract gave tannins, saponins, phenolics, steroids, glycosides, flavonoids, anthocyanin, terpenoids, and alkaloids as its contents. The extract's inhibitory activities on PGE-2, COX-2 and TNF-α were dose dependent. The formulated herbal emulgel showed that the activities of PGE-2, COX-2 and TNF-α were significantly inhibited in comparison with vehicle-treated control. The physical appearance (which reflected the concentration gradient of the Arctium lappa root extract in the emulgels), consistency and homogeneity of the emulgels were acceptable and spreadable. The pH and viscosity of the emulgels were from 4.97 ± 0.04 to 5.42 ± 0.05 and 3.36 ± 0.40 and 3.95 ± 0.50 Pas, respectively. Conclusion: Here, the emulgel of Arctium lappa root extract showed promising anti-inflammatory property evidenced in its ability to attenuate PGE-2, COX-2 and TNF-α activities in-vitro, which was similar to the effect of diclofenac (a currently used anti-inflammatory agent of synthetic origin). This study is novel, important and of great impact because it provides a useful indication of Arctium lappa as a topical agent in the management of chronic inflammatory disorders. As compared to previous studies, key advances in this research include the first successful attempt to formulate the root extract of Arctium lappa into an emulgel, advancing the application of pharmaceutics in phytotherapy for prospects of improved treatment of inflammation, especially in Africa; and this can be adapted globally beyond the region.
