Antioxidant activity of Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruits extract and the in vivo evaluation of its anti-inflammatory effects

The biological activity of Cornus mas fruits (CM) on acute inflammation in relation to the in vitro antioxidant properties was investigated. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and by the 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzthiazino-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) test. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profile of CM extract revealed the presence of 10 main phenolic compounds. The anti-inflammatory effect of CM extract was evaluated by analysing the cytokine levels in the soft paw tissue of Wistar rats after inducing inflammation. CM extract showed potent in vitro antioxidant activity and also led to significant suppression of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-13 production in paw tissue, enhancing the production of IL-10. The histopathological investigation of paw and liver samples revealed that low dose of CM extract attenuated the initial acute inflammatory reaction while high dose inhibited the exudation of inflammatory cells to the inflammation site.