In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of root aqueous extract of Mesua ferrea in human whole blood and peripheral blood mononuclear cells using flow cytometry

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to present the available in vitro evidence of the anti-inflammatory properties of Mesua ferrea and examine their potential usefulness in the human ailments or infections. In the last three decades, there are number of primary as well as secondary metabolites or aqueous extract isolated from the leaves, root and stem of medicinal plants and used as a source of therapeutic agents. The most promising anti-inflammatory activities of these aqueous extract isolated from the roots of Mesua ferrea. Human whole blood were treated with variable doses of aqueous extract (0.5 – 30 mg/ml) and evaluated the lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes count using flow cytometry and observed the monocyte marker i.e. CD14 marker and TNF alpha in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and also determined its hemolytic activity. The results showed that the aqueous extract showed increased in the lymphocytes count and reduction of granulocytes and monocytes level which is evidenced through the decline of CD14 surface marker and TNF alpha which are the indicators of inflammation in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. At high doses of aqueous extract i.e. 30 mg/ml showed hemolytic activity. The results showed that the root aqueous extract of Mesua ferrea showed anti-inflammatory activity.