Evaluation of anti-inflammatory properties and possible mechanism of action of Egyptian quince [Cydonia oblonga] leaf

The present study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Cydonia oblonga [COL] evaluated by the following models: arachidonic acid-induced ear edema and carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. The levels of glutathione [GSH], lipid peroxidation [LPO], tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin-6 [IL-6] and nitric oxide [NO] in the hind paws of the carrageenan-treated rats were estimated. Moreover, the activities of catalase [CAT] and glutathione-S-transferase [GST] were investigated. The results showed that COL significantly reduced ear edema and paw edema in the rats. Furthermore, treatment with COL decreased the levels of LPO, NO, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, whereas increased the level of GSH. The increased activities of CAT and GST enzymes were ameliorated by COL administration. In conclusion, Cydonia oblonga possesses potent anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of NO, LPO, IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels leading to alleviate edema