In vitro anti-inflammatory properties of aqueous erythroxylum cuneatum standardized extract on antioxidant enzymes in LPS-induced RAW264.7 / Nurhafizah Abd Mutalib

During inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) will be released into the injured site and cause further injury to the cells by initiating lipid peroxidation process. The action of ROS are limited by antioxidant enzymes. Antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) are produced in the body as body's defense against ROS to prevent them from damaging the body cells. This study was carried out to determine the anti-inflammatory properties of Erythroxylum cuneatum aqueous leaf extract in vitro by measuring the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase on LPS­ induced RAW 264.7. Measurements of these enzymes were carried out using commercialized ELISA kits. Our findings showed that the aqueous leaf extract of E. cuneatum was able to inhibit the inflammation induced by LPS on RAW 264. 7. SOD and GPx levels were increased significantly in the cells compared to indomethacin. However, concentrations of catalase was not affected compared to the untreated LPS-induced cells. In conclusion, E.cuneatum extract contain anti-inflammatory properties through modulation of the activities of the antioxidant enzymes activities in the LPS-induced RAW 264.7. This further supports the folkloric claims of the medicinal values of the plant and showed its potential to be exploited in the nutraceutical industries.