Abstract:
The work is devoted to studying the anti-inflammatory properties of carotenoids extracted from the Capsicum annuum L. fruits. Such a choice is due to their high antioxidant activity and membranestabilizing effect. Of particular interest is the anti-inflammatory activity of carotenoids under conditions of specific autoimmune inflammation. Materials and Methods: The fruits of Capsicum annuum L. variety “Ukrainian bitter” were used as plant raw material. The total carotenoid and capsaicinoid concentration was determined in the extracts after the extraction process. The anti-inflammatory properties of the obtained extracts were studied using an experimental model of carrageenan-induced inflammation (specific and nonspecific inflammatory processes). The anti-edema effect and changes in the total count of white blood cells in the peripheral blood were used as criteria for the efficacy of anti-inflammatory therapy. Results: The therapeutic effect of the plant extract application was recorded on the 15th day in the case of nonspecific inflammation. On the 25th day of treatment, the anti-edema effect of the plant extract was significantly higher than that of the reference ibuprofen drug (Δ 24.4%) in the case of non-specific inflammation. The extractive substances of Capsicum annuum L. fruits had a pronounced antiinflammatory effect in the case of autoimmune inflammation of the contralateral limb, this effect is accompanied by a decrease in white blood cell count in peripheral blood in experimental animals.
