Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Star Anise (Illicium Verum) in Murine Model

Abstract

Star anise (Illicium verum) is a medium-sized plant that is native to Asia as well as one of the most important medicinal plants used in Chinese herbal medicine. Star anise has bioactive compounds having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The antioxidant activity of Star anise (Illicium verum) methanolic extract was studied by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assay. The current study aims to investigate the effect of Star anise (Illicium verum) methanolic extract as ant-inflammatory by reducing the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL 1beta and reducing the oxidative stress by acting as a scavenger because inflammation and oxidative stress can induce each other. The highest free radical scavenging activities were exerted by the APTS method (95.1±0.33 Trolox/g) whereas, the free radical scavenging activities were exerted by ABTS was 77.7±0.30 Trolox/g. The anti-inflammatory activity of the Star anise (Illicium verum) methanolic extract was studied by its ability to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines productions (Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)) and reduce oxidative stress at different concentrations. Star anise (Illicium verum) methanolic extract significantly reduce the pro-inflammatory TNF-α and IL-1β production (p<0.05) compared with negative control which is treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and has a similar effect in reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines production similar to the positive control which treated with ascorbic acid. Star anise (Illicium verum) methanolic extract significantly reduces oxidative stress (p<0.05) by reducing antioxidant enzyme activity catalase and glutathione-peroxidase compared with the LPS treated group. In conclusion Star anise (Illicium verum) methanolic extract act as strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory medicinal plant.