Anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Aegle marmelos Correa. Fruit

Abstract

Introduction: Aegle marmelos, or Matuum, belongs to Rutaceae. In Thai traditional medicine, unripe fruit has been used to treat diarrhea, gastritis, flatulence, fatigue and maintain body balance. The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Aegle marmelos fruit.

Method: Two extraction methods (maceration and decoction) were used to extract unripe fruit. Inhibitory effects on the release of β-hexosaminidase and nitric oxide inhibitory assay were used to evaluate anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory activities. DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and NBT assays were used to evaluate antioxidant activity.

Result: The 95% ethanol extract exhibited the potent allergic activity, whereas, water extract had no anti-allergic activity (IC₅₀ > 100 µg/ml). The water extract exhibited the most potent NO inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 40.22 ±2.34 µg/ml). Moreover, it displayed the highest antioxidant activity on ABTS and FRAP assay. In addition, both are not show antioxidant activity on NBT assay (IC₅₀ > 200 µg/ml).

Discussion and Conclusion: The water extract of Aegle marmelos which is according with the previous report showed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Moreover, this result supports the use of unripe fruit in Thai traditional medicine for treatment of gastritis, fatigue and maintains body balance.