Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, and antioxidant activities of Haloxylon salicornicum aqueous fraction

Abstract The medicinal plant Haloxylon salicornicum is utilized for therapeutic purposes. We previously reported the antioxidant potential of hexane fraction and methanol extracts of the same species. However, since these solvents could be clinically toxic, the current findings investigated the pharmacological effects of the water fraction. The pain relieving, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic potential of H. salicornicum water extract (HEW) were studied at two concentrations (250 and 500 mg/kg) in rodents. The carrageenan stimulated rat paw edema assay was exercised to assess anti inflammatory potential in rats; yeast-stimulated hyperthermia was utilized to test antipyretic activity in mice; analgesic properties were assessed based on acetic acid-induced writhing, tail flicking, and hot-plate test; and antioxidant potential was examined with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay. We found that 500 mg/kg HEW inhibited edema by 44.03%. Yeast-induced hyperthermia in mice was reduced by 250 and 500 mg/kg HEW after 30, 60, and 120 min with significant level of (P < 0.001) compared to rectal temperature of yeast administered group. The high dose of HEW (500 mg/kg) improved the reaction time of mice in the hot-plate test from 6.66 ± 0.33 to 11.33 ± 0.49 s after 120 min. In the acetic acid-stimulated writhing test, 250 and 500 mg/kg HEW decreased writhing by 32.71% and 51.40%, respectively, after 20 min. HEW also showed antioxidant effects. These results demonstrate that HEW is bioactive and has therapeutic potential for treating a variety of ailments.


Introduction
Plant-based medicines are extensively utilized around the world; it is estimated that over three-quarters of the global inhabitants cannot meet the expense of pharmaceutical drugs and depend on plant-based conventional treatment for different diseases, which can be useful in the case of certain diseases that do not require prolonged treatment. In particular, rural communities in developing countries use herbal medicines based on their strong beliefs and limited access to allopathic therapies [1,2]. Haloxylon salicornicum is a shrub or under shrub of the Amaranthacea family that is found in Pakistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Palestine, Iran, UAE, Kuwait, Egypt , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Afghanistan and Qatar [3,4]. Antiseptic, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities have been attributed to H. salicornicum [5]; glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins and triterpenoids, are presumed to be main source of its antioxidant, hepatoprotective, pain relieving and anti-inflammatory potential. The C 2 H 5 OH extract of this plant demonstrated significant antimicrobial potential against numerous fungi species including Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus fumigatus Aspergillus, flavus Candida tropicalis, and as well as bacterial stains such as Staphylococcus aureus, Sarcina ventriculi, Candida albicans, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi etc [6,7]. We previously reported that both the methanol and hexane extracts (HEM and HEH, respectively) of H. salicornicum had hepatoprotective effects at concentrations of 250 and 500 mg/kg, whereas 250 μg/ml HEH and HEM inhibited the formation of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical by 35.65%, and 38.16% respectively [8]. Though, methanol and hexane are potentially toxic solvents and for this reason, water extracts of H. salicornicum would be preferable for medicinal use. To this end, the current study weigh upped the antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant potential of the water fraction of H. salicornicum (HEW) in rodents.

Plant extraction preparation
Plant material was air-dried under shade, then crushed and soaked in methanol for seven days. It is then filtered and the methanol was evaporated in vacuo (Buchi, Flawil, Switzerland). The greenish methanol crude extract (33.3 g) was dissolved in distilled water and with the help of separating funnel it is partitioned between solvents with increasing order of polarity as n-hexane (7.1 ± 0.03 g), chloroform (3.4 ± 0.03 g), ethyl acetate (2.3 ± 0.03 g), n-butanol (10.6 ± 0.03 g), and water (9.9 ± 0.03 g).

Reagents and Animals
All reagents/chemicals utilized were of analytical grade. Wistar rats (170-210 g) and male albino mice (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)Swiss) were utilized in testing. The animals were retained at 22°C ± 2°C in a room on a 12:12-h light/dark cycle with open entrance to water and food (standard pellet diet). The animals were kept and familiarized to the room conditions for at least 1 h prior to experimentations. Every animal was utilized just one time. Mice were utilized to assess the analgesic and antipyretic properties whereas the rats were utilized to investigate anti-inflammatory activity of the HEW.

Acute toxicity test
The toxicity of H. salicornicum (HEW was evaluated in rats and mice at doses of 150, 350, 550, and 750 mg/kg. The animals were continuously monitored for sign of indications of mortality and toxicity [9].

Anti-inflammatory activity
Inflammation in rats paw was stimulated as previously described [10]. Briefly, 0.05 ml/kg of 1% of sodium salt of carrageenan was subcutaneously infused, with the help of subplantar aponeurosis, into the right hind paw of all experimental rats. Rats were distributed in 4 groups (n = 6 each). Rates were classified and treated as shown in Table-1. Plethysmometer (Apelex, Massy, France) was utilized to measured Paw volume. Anti-inflammatory activity was measured with formula: Anti-inflammatory potential (% inhibition) = (1 − D/C) × 100 Where D is the % difference in paw volume after HEW injection and C is the % difference in paw volume in the control group.

Antipyretic activity
Hyperthermia was persuaded in mice by subcutaneous injection of 20 ml/kg body weight of a twenty percent brewer's yeast into the back near the nape of the neck [11], and then mice were classified and treated as shown in Table-2. The mice were fasted for the duration of the experiment, with open approach to water. After treatment body temperature of mice were noted at different interval of time i.e. 30, 60, and 120 min.

Analgesic activity (hot plate test)
Response latency to pain caused by heat was assessed with the hot plate test [11]. A glass cylinder of twenty-four centimeter diameter was located on a hot plate with the temperature set to 55°C ± 1°C. The mice were separated into three groups (n = 6); two were given 250 and 500 mg/ kg HEW and one received 4 mg/kg indomethacin by oral administration. Each mouse was set in the glass chamber on the hot plate and the time until a response was elicited (like clasping of forepaws/jumping) was noted before and 30, 60, and 120 min after treatment.

Analgesic activity (acetic acid-induced writhing test)
The pain relieving effect of HEW was assessed with the acetic acid induced writhing test [12]. Animals were orally treated with two doses (500, 250) mg/kg of HEW or four mg/kg of indomethacin, thirty min earlier to IP injection of 0.7% (v/v) acetic acid. The animals were scrutinized for writhing-characterized as "constriction and elongation of the abdomen" and "hind limbs extension" [13] for fifteen min.

Antinociceptive activity (tail flicking test)
Pain relieving effect of HEW at two doses of (500, 250) mg/kg in animals was assessed by means of a tail flick apparatus (Tail Flick Model DS 20 Sorrel; Apelex, Bagneux, France). Each animal was set in a restraining device two min earlier than treatment, and baseline response time to an intensity-controlled light beam focused on the distal one-third of the tail was recorded. HEW doses or standard drug was orally administered straight away subsequent to this step and 25 min later post-drug response time was considered. A 10-s cutoff time for the light beam was exercised in turn to prevent tissue damage [14].

GC-MS analysis of HEW
A Perkin Elmer model Clarus 600 T combined with single quadrapole mass spectrometer was utilized for Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry examination. Required time was twenty two minutes for one sample analysis. The temperature was kept primarily to 40°C (for 2 min), was raised to 150°C (for 2 min) 280°C (2 min), then increased further to 280°C at 15°C min−1(held for 2 min). The MS ion source temperature was 220°C and inlet line temperature at 240°C. The scan range was set at 40 to 600 mass ranges at 70 ev electron energy and the solvent delay of 4 min. At last, unidentified constituents were identified from online library

Antioxidant activity
The antioxidant activities of the HEW at different concentrations (100, 150, 200, and 250 μg/ml) were evaluated with the DPPH assay. Newly ready DPPH (purple-colored) solution changed into yellowish-colored after incubation for thirty minutes with test samples at room temperature, and the color change was recorded at 514 nm with a spectrophotometer (UVmini-1240; Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan). The below equation was utilized to calculate antioxidant activity [8].

Anti-inflammatory potential
Carrageenan-stimulated paw edema persisted for 3 h post-injection (Table 3). Treatment with HEW significantly reduced volume of paw in a dose-dependent manner (33.23% and 65.86% reduction at 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively, contrasted to the standard drug phenylbutazone.

Antipyretic activity
Yeast-induced hyperthermia in mice was decreased by 250 and 500 mg/kg HEW at 30, 60, and 120 minute subsequent to the treatment with significant level (P < 0.001). The baseline rectal temperature of 35.50°C-35.63°C increased to 38.88°C and 38.95°C after yeast injection, but returned to 37.00°C ± 0.05°C at 120 min after administration of 500 mg/kg HEW, which was comparable to the temperature achieved by the standard drug indomethacin (36.28°C ± 0.12°C) ( Table 4).

Antinociceptive activity (tail flick in mice)
HEW increased the time until tail flicking in a dose-reliant mode (P < 0.001) after 30, 60, and 120 min as compared to indomethacin (Table 7).
H. salicornicum is known in folk medicine for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties; traditional healers use the decoction to treat intestinal ulcers [15]. However, no studies to date have investigated the antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant potentials.
Stigmasterol, Methylnicotinate, β-sitosterol, ursolic acid, phenethylamine, quercetin, esculetin, xanthotoxol , β-amyrin, Lupeol, isooxyimperatorin, umbelliferone, scopolin, scopoletin Kaempferol, Values represent mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 (analysis of variance followed by Dunnett's multiple comparisons test). HEW, Haloxylon salicornicum water extract.  [16,17] Literature revived showed that the acute phase of wound is because of main inflammatory mediators (bradykinin, serotonin, histamine and prostaglandin) are discharged in order to support vascular permeability and vasodilatation as well as edema [18]. The carrageenanstimulated paw edema is measured as a representation of the acute stage of inflammation which is far and wide exercised for finding and exploration of active drug used for anti-inflammatory potential [19]. Particularly, this model is acknowledged to be insightful to cyclooxygenase inhibitors and has been utilized to weigh up the outcome of NSAIDs, which grips the inhibition of synthesis of PGs [20]. The primary stage is reasoned by the discharge of bradykinin, serotonin and histamine, and followed by the discharge of prostaglandins (PGs) at the third hour and remain for around six h subsequent to carrageenan injection [21]. The last stage emerges to be highly exciting in which the maximal vascular reaction arises with the migration of leukocyte to the area inflamed [22]. We found here that a dose level of 250 mg/kg b.w HEW suppressed inflammation (16.46%), reducing paw edema in rats. These findings suggesting anti-inflammatory potential of HEW by blocking the inflammatory mediators of the acute stage of inflammation. The very significant inhibitory effect (44.03% at dose level of 500 mg/kg) on carrageenan-stimulated paw edema at the third h recommends that these fractions may engage in jamming of the prostaglandins (PGs) synthesis. Fever stimulated by yeast is identified pathogenic fever. Its etiology consist of creation of prostaglandins, mostly PGE 2 emerges to be a concluding mechanism accountable for fever causing stimulated by numerous pyrogens [22]. Nearly all of the Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) illustrate the antipyretic effect by blocking the prostaglandin synthesis. It is thus recommended that the antipyretic potential of HEW take places in a parallel manner as standard drug indomethacin. Two special analgesic assays were used with the aim of finding central analgesic (tail clip and hot plate) and peripheral effect (acetic acid-induced writhing protocol). The acetic acid persuaded writhing is a visceral pain model that has been linked with discharge of bradykinins, cyclooxygenase, arachidonic acid and (PGE 2 and PGF 2α ), have an important role in nociceptive mechanisms [23]. In our present study considerable pain relieving potential in the hot plate and the tail flik models expose that the analgesic activity of HEW is of the type generated by non-narcotic analgesics. Previous studies have reported that flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, tannins, and alkaloids are present in H. salicornicum and that methanol and ethanol extracts of this plant have potent anti-inflammatory possessions even at a dose of 400 mg/kg [24]. Phytochemicals such as tannins, saponins, flavonoids, and alkaloids are bioactive compounds that have an extensive range of beneficial pharmacological effects like; antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and anti-diabetic activities, in addition to alleviating hypercholesterolemia [25][26][27]. A phytochemical analysis has shown that H. salicornicum contains the alkaloids methylisosalsoline, salsolidine, sosalsolidine, dehydrosalsolidine, N-methyltyramine, oxedrine, tyramine, carnegine, halosaline, smipine, haloxine, piperidine, tryptamine, scopolin, nicotine, haloxynine, hordenine, aldotripiperideine, anabasine, and dipterine as well as coumarins such as scopoletin, umbelliferone, xanthotoxol, isooxyimperatorin, and esculetin. Plants generally contain saponins, volatile oils, tannins, cardiac glycosides, sterols and anthraquinones [28]; phytochemicals such as tannins, saponins, and lignans are known for their antioxidant and other biological properties [29]. The isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds in H. salicornicum is essential for the improvement of novel drugs.

Conclusions
The water fraction of H. salicornicum demonstrates bioactivity including anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, and antioxidant activities, without significant toxicity. Thus, HEW is safe for therapeutic applications and may be effective in the treatment of a variety of ailments.
Authors' contributions: RU performed experimental work. MSA and ASA supervised the work AAS composed the MS AAN, HMM collect the plant and ground it. SA revised the MS.

Conflict of interests:
The contributor's of this MS have declared no conflict of interests.