Mahonia Aquifolium Flowers Extract Effects in Acute Experimental Inflammation

Natural products were proved to have inhibitory effect on the nitro-oxidative stress. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Mahonia aquifolium (MA) flowers extract upon nitro-oxidative stress in acute experimental inflammation. The extract was prepared by repercolation method. Acute experimental inflammation was induced with turpentine oil (0,6ml/kg b.w. i.m.). MA extract was given for 7 days. Were used 6 groups (n=5) of male Wistar rats: Groups 1-3 were with acute inflammation and treated with MA dilutions (100%, 50%, 25%); Group 4 was acute inflammation control; Group 5 was negative control; Group 6 was acute inflammation treated with diclofenac (10mg/kg b.w. p.o). In day 8 nitro-oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring serum nitrites and nitrates (NOx), Total oxidative stress (TOS), Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), Oxidative stress index (OSI), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Thiols (SH). MA reduced OSI and TOS, increased SH, and had no important effect on TAC, NO and MDA. Compared to MA, Diclofenac was a stronger inhibitor of TOS and OSI, and had a smaller effect on SH. Mahonia aquifolium flowers extract had inhibitory effect on the oxidative stress, without influencing NO and lypoperoxides production, the effect being smaller than that of Diclofenac.