Publication:

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory effect of beetroot extract in animal models

Background Inflammation is complex biological response of body tissues to foreign particles or pathogens. However, adverse effects of anti-inflammatory drugs, necessitate the search for a novel compound from herbal origin. Beta vulgaris rubra or red beetroot, a vegetable plant, is known to possess various beneficial effects. Present study aimed to evaluate the anti inflammatory effect of beet roots in animal models.

Methods Carrageenan-induced and Complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced rat paw edema model were used to assess the acute and chronic anti- inflammatory potential of the Beetroot as compared to standard drug, Diclofenac Sodium.

Results Oral administration of Beetroot extract showed carrageenan-induced rat paw edema inhibition by 26.9%, 34.6% and 50% for beetroot 100mg/Kg, 200mg/Kg and 400mg/Kg, respectively, at the end of four hours. In vivo results noted that percentage inhibition of paw volume and ankle diameter of the Complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced rats were significantly higher for the groups consuming 100 and 200mg/Kg Beetroot extracts. Paw volume of the rats in these two groups reduced by 35% and 30% respectively as compared to the control.

Conclusions Thus, beetroot was found to possess anti-inflammatory property in animals. Further investigations are essential to validate the bioactive components responsible for this property.