Phytochemical Screening and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Marrubium vulgare L. Methanol Extract on Carrageenan-Induced Paw Inflammation in Rats

Background: The upward desire in using traditional medicine as a remedy for treatment of different diseases has led the scientists to be thoughtful on plants as alternative sources of conventional drugs. Methods: Herein, anti-inflammatory effects of Marrubium vulgare methanolic extract was evaluated in carrageenan- induced paw edema in rats through examining paw thickness, histological studies and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO). The antioxidant activity of M. vulgare extract and its phenolic and flavonoids content were evaluated by folin-Ciocalteau, and aluminum chloride colorimetric assay, separately. Results: The results showed that M. vulgare alleviated paw inflammation as indexed by reduction paw thickness (p<0.001) as well as MPO activity (p<0.001), which was associated with a marked decrease in tissue edema. Moreover, the extract RC50 value for DPPH and nitric oxide antioxidant activity was 177 µg/mL and 370.5 µg/ml, besides, the total phenolic and flavonoids were as 625 mg gallic acid equivalent and 1.62 g quercetin equivalent per 100 g of dried plant material. Conclusion: In the main, the observed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of M. vulgare could be attributed to the high amounts of phenolic and flavonoid content identified in the extract.