{"id":2017,"date":"2015-03-29T07:10:30","date_gmt":"2015-03-29T07:10:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/?p=2017"},"modified":"2017-01-04T05:20:04","modified_gmt":"2017-01-04T05:20:04","slug":"anti-inflammatory-activity-of-wheatgrass-juice-in-albino-rats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/vol4no2\/anti-inflammatory-activity-of-wheatgrass-juice-in-albino-rats\/","title":{"rendered":"Anti-inflammatory Activity of Wheatgrass Juice in Albino Rats"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the traditional system of medicine, many plant-based drugs and formulations are in use since ancient times. However, very little work has been reported on the pharmacological evaluation of the classical formulations for the activities claimed in traditional medicine. One of such formulations is wheatgrass. Wheatgrass is grown commonly world wide. There are many anecdotal and scientific reports claiming the medicinal value of wheatgrass juice. It is one of the main treatment regimen offered by many health institutes which practices naturopathic medicine (e.g. Hippocrates health institute, Boston, U.S.A.). It is claimed to have potential to cure around 350 diseases ranging from common cold to incurable conditions like cancer1<\/sup>. It is said to be very effective with minimal side effects in conditions like arthritis2<\/sup> and its effectiveness is attributed to its anti-inflammatory property. However, no scientific study has been done so far demonstrating its anti-inflammatory effect. Hence, in the present study anti-inflammatory effect of wheatgrass juice is investigated.<\/p>\n

Material and Methods<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wheatgrass<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wheatgrass is grown in pots without chemical fertilizers and cut when it is 9 to 10 days old. Before extracting the juice out of it, initial weight is weighed and then after extracting juice the residual weight is weighed. The difference between them is considered as the actual weight of the wheatgrass present in the total amount of juice obtained. From this the actual weight of wheatgrass in one ml of the juice is calculated.<\/p>\n

Animals<\/strong><\/p>\n

Experiments were performed on albino rats of either sex weighing about 100 to 200 g. They were divided into 3 groups of 6 animals each. One group received the test drug, 1000 mg.\/kg; second group received diclofenac sodium 10 mg\/kg as the standard drug and the third group served as control group and received gum acacia. All the drugs were given orally. All the animal experiments were approved by the ethics committee of the institute.<\/p>\n

Carrageenin-induced paw edema in rats<\/strong><\/p>\n

Acute inflammation was produced by sub-plantar injection of 0.1 ml of 1% carrageenin3<\/sup>.\u00a0 Paw volume was measured plethysmometrically at 0 hr and 3 hr after carrageenin injection. Mean increase in paw volume was measured and percentage inhibition in standard group and test group was calculated.<\/p>\n

Formalin-induced paw edema in rats<\/strong><\/p>\n

Inflammation was produced by injection of 0.1 ml of 10% formalin into sub-plantar area of rat hind paw4,5<\/sup>. Paw volume was measured plethysmometrically at 0 hr and at the end of 7 days. All the drugs were administered orally 1 hr prior to formalin injection and continued for 7 consecutive days. Mean increase in paw volume was measured and percentage of inhibition in standard group and test group was calculated.<\/p>\n

Rexin pellet-induced granuloma in rats<\/strong><\/p>\n

This method was based on the cotton pellet-induced granuloma model in rats6,7<\/sup>. Four sterile rexin pellets of known weight were implanted subcutaneously on the dorsum of rat under light ether anesthesia. Drugs were administered orally for 7 days. Animals were sacrificed on the 7th<\/sup> day; granulation tissue with rexin pellet was dissected, dried at 600<\/sup> c and weighed. Mean increase in the weight of rexin pellet was considered as weight of granulation tissue. Percentage of inhibition of granuloma formation in standard group and test group was calculated.<\/p>\n

Statistical Analysis<\/strong><\/p>\n

Statistical analysis was performed using Student\u2019s unpaired \u2018t\u2019 test and p values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Data are represented as mean \u00b1 SEM.<\/p>\n

Results<\/strong><\/p>\n

Carrageenin-induced pedal edema<\/strong><\/p>\n

The anti-inflammatory effect of wheatgrass juice against carrageenin-induced inflammation is shown in Table-1. Wheatgrass caused only 22.62% inhibition of paw volume as compared to the control rats. Diclofenac sodium showed 59% inhibition of paw volume (p<0.001).<\/p>\n

Table\u00a0<\/strong>1:\u00a0Effect Of Wheatgrass On Carrageenin \u2013 Induced Rat Hind Paw Edema<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Treatment<\/strong><\/td>\nDose(mg\/kg)\u00a0 p.o<\/strong><\/td>\nMean increase in paw<\/strong><\/p>\n

volume in ml<\/strong><\/td>\n

Percentage inhibition of paw edema<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Control<\/td>\n<\/td>\n0.61 \u00a0\u00b1 \u00a00.033<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

–<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Wheatgrass<\/td>\n1000 mg\/kg<\/td>\n0.47 \u00a0\u00b1 \u00a00.016<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

22.95<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diclofenac<\/p>\n

Sodium<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

10 mg \/ kg<\/td>\n0.25 \u00a0\u00b1 \u00a00.071<\/td>\n59.01<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Values are expressed as mean \u00b1 SEM; number of animals used are 6 in each group.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Formalin-induced pedal edema<\/strong><\/p>\n

R<\/p>\n

esults obtained are shown in Table 2. Wheatgrass juice showed significant inhibition of edema formation (49.50%) at the end of 7 days (p<0.05) but was less compared to diclofenac sodium 59.37% (p<0.01) inhibition.<\/p>\n

Table 2:<\/strong> Effect Of Wheatgrass On Formalin – Induced Rat Hind Paw Edema<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Treatment<\/strong><\/td>\nDose(mg\/kg)\u00a0 p.o<\/strong><\/td>\nMean increase in paw<\/strong><\/p>\n

volume in ml<\/strong><\/td>\n

Percentage inhibition of paw edema<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Control<\/td>\n<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 0.16\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00b1\u00a0 0.026<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

–<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Wheatgrass<\/td>\n1000 mg\/kg<\/td>\n0.095\u00a0 \u00b1\u00a0 0.076<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

40.62<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diclofenac<\/p>\n

Sodium<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

10.0 mg \/ kg<\/td>\n0.065\u00a0 \u00b1\u00a0 0.018<\/td>\n59.37<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Values are expressed as mean \u00b1 SEM; number of animals used are 6 in each group.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rexin pellet-induced granuloma<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Results are shown in Table 3. Wheatgrass juice produced significant inhibition of granuloma formation 54.2% (p<0.001), comparable to that of diclofenac sodium 49.50% \u00a0(p < 0.001).<\/p>\n

Table 3: Effect Of Wheatgrass On Rexin Pellet \u2013 Induced Granuloma In Rats<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Treatment<\/strong><\/td>\nDose(mg\/kg)\u00a0 p.o<\/strong><\/td>\nMean increase in the<\/strong><\/p>\n

Weight of rexin pellets<\/strong><\/td>\n

Percentage inhibition of granuloma formation<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Control<\/td>\n<\/td>\n94.27\u00a0 \u00b1\u00a0 0.051<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

–<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Wheatgrass<\/td>\n1000 mg\/kg<\/td>\n43.17\u00a0 \u00b1\u00a0 0.007<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

54.20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diclofenac<\/p>\n

Sodium<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

10.0 mg \/ kg<\/td>\n47.6\u00a0 \u00b1\u00a0 0.034<\/td>\n49.50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Values are expressed as mean \u00b1 SEM; number of animals used are 6 in each group.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Discussion<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There are many anecdotal and scientific reports claiming the medicinal value of wheatgrass. Most of the beneficial effects of wheatgrass juice are attributed to its chlorophyll content. Wheatgrass is the richest source of chlorophyll, containing around 70%. It is reported that chlorophyll is effective against cancer8,9<\/sup>, against hazards of radiation10,11<\/sup>, possess antimicrobial action12,13<\/sup>,\u00a0 and wound healing property14,13<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

The results of the present investigation suggest that wheatgrass juice has significant anti-inflammatory activity against chronic models like rexin pellet-induced granuloma in rats and formalin-induced rat hind paw edema.<\/p>\n

Rexin pellet-induced granuloma model represents the exudative and proliferative phase of inflammation. Kinin is said to be the main mediator of granuloma as it both vasodilates and increases vascular permeability in early stages of inflammation. Wheatgrass juice showed significant activity against granulation formation. It might be acting by inhibiting kinin formation. And also probably by inhibiting migration of eosinophils, neutrophils and platelets.<\/p>\n

Formalin-induced pedal edema in rat hind paw is one of the suitable test procedure to screen anti-inflammatory and also anti-arthritic agents5,15<\/sup>,\u00a0\u00a0 as it closely resembles human arthritis. The experiment is associated with proliferative phase of inflammation. Wheatgrass juice showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in this model. These findings justify the utilization of wheatgrass juice in traditional medicine for the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions particularly those associated with arthritis. In carrageenin-induced rat hind paw edema model wheatgrass juice showed very minimal activity. This model represents the acute inflammation; therefore wheatgrass might not be effective in acute inflammatory conditions.It is concluded that wheatgrass\u00a0 possess significant anti-inflammatory activity in chronic inflammation comparable to that of diclofenac sodium.<\/p>\n

References<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Karthika mahadevia: Times of India 15th<\/sup> August, 1992.<\/li>\n
  2. \u00a0Steve Mayerowitz: Wheat grass nature\u2019s finest medicine, Sproutman publications, 1999.<\/li>\n
  3. \u00a0Winter C.A, Risley E.A, Nuss G.W.: Carrageenin induced edema in hind paw of rats as an assay of anti-inflammatory drugs, Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 1962:3:554-7<\/li>\n
  4. \u00a0Chau T.T.Analgesic testing in animal models. In: Pharmacological methods in the control of inflammation. Alan R Liss Inc., 1989; pp. 195 \u2013 212<\/li>\n
  5. Shivaji Banerjee, Assessment of the anti inflammatory effects of Swertia chirata in acute and chronic experimental models in male albino rats: Indian journal of Pharmacology, 2000; 32:21-24.<\/li>\n
  6. \u00a0Turner R.A.: Screening methods in pharmacology, New York, Academic Press, 1965:\u2013 158<\/li>\n
  7. \u00a0H. Gerhard Vogel, Wolfgang H. Vogel: Drug Discovery and Evaluation, Pharmacological Assays, Springer publication, 1997 : 413<\/li>\n
  8. Ong.T, Whong W, Stewart J and Brockman. H : Chlorophyllin: a potent antimutagen against environmental and dietary complex mistures. Mutation Research, 1986; \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0173:111 \u2013 115.<\/li>\n
  9. Ong.T, Whong W, Stewart J and Brockman. H : Comparative antimutagenicity of 5 compounds against 5 mutagenic complex mixtures in salmonella typhimurium strain TA98. Mutation Research,1989; 222: 19 \u2013 25.<\/li>\n
  10. D, Newell.G, Calhoun.W and Munson.A : Further studies of the influences of diet on radio sensitivity of guinea pigs, with special reference to broccoli and alfalfa. Journal of Nutrition, 1962; 79: 340 \u2013 348<\/li>\n
  11. \u00a0Spector.H, and Calloway. D : Reduction of x-radiation mortality by cabbage and broccoli: Proceedings of the society for experimental biology and Medicine, 1959; 100: 405 \u2013 407.<\/li>\n
  12. Smith L : chlorophyll : an experimental study of its water soluble derivaties, remarks on the history, chemistry, toxicity and antibacterial properties of water soluble chlorophyll derivatives as therapeutic agents. American journal of the Medical Sciences, 1944; 207: 647 \u2013 645.<\/li>\n
  13. Smith. L : The present status of topical chlorophyll therapy. The NY State journal of Medicine July 15, 1955, 2041 \u2013 2049.<\/li>\n
  14. Carpenter. E : Clinical experience with chlorophyll preparations with a particular reference to chronic osteomyelitis and chronic ulcers. American journal of Surgery, 1949.<\/li>\n
  15. Greenwald R.A. Animal models for evaluation of arthritic drugs. Meth Find Clin Pharmacol, 1991; 13:75 \u2013 83.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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