Evaluation of the Anti-inflammatory and Anti-hemolytic Potential of Polyphenolic Components of Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris)

Background: This work aims at the assessement of anti-inflammatory and anti-hemolytic effect of Malva sylvestris. Methods: The anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated by the inhibition of protein denaturation method. It was followed by the study of anti-hemolytic potential, based on two methods (haemolysis by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and by hypotonic haemolysis). Result: The macerated aqueous extract of M. sylvestris (250 µg/ml) exhibited the highest inhibition percentage of BSA denaturation compared to other extracts but it appeared to be slightly lower than the drug diclofenac sodium (80.97±1.23%). On the other hand, the macerated aqueous extract showed more protective power against haemolysis (93.42±3.45%). While it was almost similar to the percentage recorded for ascorbic acid (93.68±3.21%). For the second method, it was observed that the decocted acetone extract of M. sylvestris showed a rate of haemolysis inhibition which was the highest (98.09±1.26%) but that it remained slightly lower than aspirin (98.77±0.44%). All of these results showed that M. sylvestris extracts have interesting anti-inflammatory and anti-haemolytic potential and therefore have considerable interest as an alternative treatment against inflammatory mechanisms.