Membrane stabilization as a mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic root extract of Choi (Piper chaba)

Abstract Background This experiment is conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of Piper chaba roots. Methods The in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity of Piper chaba was carried out by human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization method which includes heat-induced hemolysis and hypo tonicity- induced hemolysis and also by another method of egg albumin denaturation assay. Results Anti-inflammatory activity study of crude ethanolic extract was performed using heat induced membrane stabilization method, hypo-tonicity induced HRBC membrane stabilization method and egg albumin denaturation method. Crude ethanolic extracts of P. chaba showed promising in vitro anti-inflammatory activity in a concentration dependent manner. Using acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) as standard drug and was compared with ethanolic extract to determine anti-inflammatory activity. Heat induced anti-inflammatory test revealed that crude ethanolic extract of P. chaba (500 μg/ml) and positive control ASA(500 μg/ml) have 52.667% and 78% respectively, hypo tonicity induced anti-inflammatory test showed 35.67% and 59% inhibition of red blood cell (RBC) hemolysis. Egg albumin denaturation method also evaluated that crude ethanolic extract (1000 μg/ml) and ASA (1000 μg/ml) showed 60% and 97.12% inhibition of egg albumin denaturation. Conclusion The plant of P. chaba of the genus Piper possesses promising anti-inflammatory activities.