Study of The Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Some Medicinal Edible Plants Growing in Egypt

Several edible plants are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. The anti-inflammatory activity of some bioactive fractions isolated from the seeds of Trigonella foenum groecum, L., the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra, L. and the fruits of Coriandrum sativum, L. were determined using the carragenan induced oedema method in comparison with two reference synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs. The petroleum ether and the aqueous methanolic extract of fenugreek and liquorice as well as the whole powdered fruit of coriander in a dose of 200 mg/kg exhibited a significant reduction in the volume of inflammation with variable degreeses. The same active dose from the three plants also inhibited prostaglandins E2 levels in a range of 55-64%. Chromatographic fractionation of the bioactive components revealed the isolation of unsaturated fatty acids and flavonoids in the three plants, while saponins were only present in fenugreek and liquorice. The anti-inflammatory activity may be attributed to the presence of the forementioned bioactive compounds.