Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitory Effect and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Rind Extract

Inflammation is a normal protective response to tissue damage mediated by Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme. Cyclooxygenase enzymes are responsible for the production of prostaglandins. Increasing incidence and impact of inflammatory diseases have encouraged the search for new pharmacological strategies to face them. Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has been traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, thus giving scope for anti-inflammatory studies. The aim of the present investigation to determine the anti-inflammatory activity and inhibitory effect on COX-2 enzyme of the ethanol extract of pomegranate rind (EEPR). The animals used in this study were male white rats which were divided into six groups, dose 20 mg/kg BW, dose 40 mg/kg BW, dose 80 mg/kg BW, positive control, negative control, and normal control. Determining of anti-inflammatory activity was carried out by inducing the soles of the rats with carrageenan and then measuring the edema volume using a plethysmometer and COX-2 inhibition is determined spectrophotometrically in a Microplate Reader. The results showed that EEPR (20 mg/kg BW and 40 mg/kg BW, and 80 mg/kg BW) had an inhibitory effect against prostaglandin synthesis by COX-2 and anti-inflammatory activity. These findings suggest that EEPR possesses promising anti-inflammatory activity, which is possibly mediated through inhibition COX-2 enzymes.