Extraction, identification and anti-inflammatory activity of carotenoids out of Сapsicum Anuum L.

Abstract

Carotenoids extracted from dried peppers were evaluated for their antiinflammatory activities. Determining the concentration of carotenoids was carried out by spectrophotometry. Anti-inflammatory activity was studied on the model adjuvant-induced inflammation. In addition, the total number of white blood cells was studied by microscopic method in Gorjaev’s chamber. The biochemical parameters of blood - cholinesterase activity and total number of seromucoids in blood plasma were determined by the commercial test kits for rapid analysis. Peppers had a substantial carotenoid content: Ukrainian bitter 2076 ± 10 μg/g of sample in dry weight basis. The yellow fraction was 69.3%, the red fraction was 30.7%. The linear decrease of inflammatory edema in the course of therapeutic use of carotenoid extract ranged from 20% to 50%. The application of carotenoid extract reduced levels of activity acetylcholinesterase and concentration of seromucoids in serum of rats with adjuvant-induced inflammation. The use of carotenoid extract in rats with adjuvant-induced inflammation resulted in reduction of serum cholinesterase activity by 1.3 times and double decrease in the serum seromucoid concentration. Ukrainian bitter pepper carotenoid extract exhibited good anti-inflammatory activity, with inhibited adjuvant-induced oedema formation and progression. The results suggest that the carotenoids in dried Ukrainian bitter peppers have significant anti-inflammatory benefits and could be useful for pain and inflammation relief. The results of this study allow to recommend carotenoid extract for further investigation as active part of anti-inflammatory drugs.