Abstract
Background:
Inflammation is a strong reaction of the non-specific natural immune system that helps to start protective responses against encroaching pathogens and develop typical immunity against intruding factors. However, prolonged inflammation may lead to chronic autoimmune diseases. For thousands of years, medicinal plants have served as an excellent source of treatment for chronic pathologies such as metabolic diseases.
Purpose:
The present study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic potential of
Moringa olifera
Lam. extract (
MO
) and
Moringa
-loaded nanoclay films.
Methods:
The extract preparation was done through the maceration technique using absolute methanol (99.7%) and labelled as
Mo. Me
.
Mo. Me-
loaded nanoclay-based films were prepared by using pectin and sericin (
Table 1
). The
in vitro
studies characterized the film thickness, moisture, and phytochemical contents. The
in vivo
anti-inflammatory tests involved using a cotton pellet-induced granuloma model assay. In addition, the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay was employed for angiogenesis activity.
Results:
The phytochemical analysis of the extract confirmed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids and phytosterol. This extract contained quercetin in a large quantity. Cotton-pellet induced granuloma model study revealed a comparable (
p
> 0.05) effect of a high dose of
Mo. Me
(500 mg/kg) as compared with standard drug. Noteworthy, data obtained through the RT-PCR technique manifested the dose-dependent anti-oedematous effect of
Moringa olifera
via downregulation of TNF-α and interleukin-1ß. The findings of the CAM assay exhibited a remarkable anti-angiogenic activity of
Mo. Me
loaded nanoclay films, showing diffused vasculature network in the macroscopic snapshot.
Conclusion:
Moringa olifera
and its nanocomposite films have therapeutic potential against inflammation.