Protective effects of an aqueous Pericarpium Granati extract against inflammatory damage in mice

• The aqueous Pericarpium Granati extract decreased paw edema in mice.
• The aqueous Pericarpium Granati extract also inhibited lipid peroxidation.
• The aqueous Pericarpium Granati extract reduced inflammatory damage.

The protective effect of an aqueous Pericarpium Granati extract (APG) against carrageenan-induced inflammatory damage in mice was investigated. The results showed that APG displayed radical scavenging, reducing activity, and liposome protection activity in acellular systems. The implementation of an HPLC helped identify polyphenolic components including epicatechin (11.9 mg/g), gallic acid (3.9 mg/g), ellagic acid (2.4 mg/g), ferulic acid (1.0 mg/g), quercetin (0.7 mg/g), and kaempferol (0.5 mg/g). APG administration in the range of 0.25–1.0 g/kg showed a concentration dependent inhibition on inflammatory response in carrageenan induced mice. The anti-inflammatory effects of APG could be related to the suppression of tissue nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-α, and associated with the reduction of lipid peroxidation and an increase in antioxidant enzyme activities including catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase in vivo. The results showed that APG might serve as a natural source of anti-inflammatory and antioxidative compounds in vivo.