This study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory effects of apigenin, obtained from Portulaca oleracea L., using a male mouse model. A total of 56 healthy BLAB/c albino male mice (Mus musculus) were used in two experiments. In the first experiment, the xylene-induced ear edema, 28 male mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=7). The negative control group received distilled water, while the positive control, apigenin-treated, and indomethacin-treated groups were exposed to xylene (0.03 mL applied to the anterior and posterior surface of the right ear lobe) to induce inflammation. Subsequently, the apigenin-treated group received orally 50 mg/kg BW apigenin, and the indomethacin-treated group received orally 0.36 mg/kg BW indomethacin. Ear weight difference was calculated as an indicator of anti-inflammatory. For the second experiment, the carrageenan-induced paw edema, a similar experimental design was followed, but carrageenan (50 mg/kg BW of 1% solution) was administered intra-dermally in the right hindpaws. Paw skin thickness difference and differential white blood cells (WBCs) count, along with the quantification of prostaglandin E-2 (PGE-2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum samples, were used as indicators of anti-inflammatory. Results showed that xylene exposure led to a significant ear weight increase, indicative of inflammation. Conversely, the apigenin-treated group demonstrated a reduction in ear weight compared to the positive control group. Similarly, carrageenan administration resulted in a substantial increase in paw skin thickness and elevated levels of WBCs count, PGE-2, and IL-6. Apigenin treatment significantly mitigated these inflammatory markers, outperforming indomethacin in PGE-2 and IL-6. This study provides evidence supporting the potential of P. oleracea-derived apigenin as an effective anti-inflammatory agent, showing comparable or better efficacy than indomethacin. |
Anti-inflammatory Effect of Apigenin Obtained by Portulaca oleracea L in Male Mice