Evaluation of in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don essential oil

Abstract

The present experiment was conducted to assess the anti-inflammatory property of essential oil of the aerial parts of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don against the dena turation of protein in vitro. The test oil , at different concentrations , was incubated with egg albumin under controlled ex perimental conditions and subjected to determination of absorbance to evaluate the anti-in flammatory property. Diclofenac sodium was used as the reference drug. The present results exhibited a con centration dependent inhibition of protein (albumin ) denaturation by the test oil. The outcome of diclofenac sodium w as found to be less effective when compared with th e test oil. From the present findings it can be concluded that the Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don essential oi l possessed marked anti-inflammatory effect against the denatur ation of protein in vitro. This effect could be eit her due to Polyphenolic content or to the synergistic activity rather than a single compound