Nephroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous extract of Melissa officinalis L. on acetaminophen-induced and pleurisy-induced lesions in rats

• Published in: Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology 2013-06, Vol.56 (3), p.383-392
• Main Authors: Müzell, Denise Pereira, Lunardelli, Adroaldo, Leite, Carlos Eduardo, Fagundes, Rodrigo Medeiros, Saciura, Vasyl Custódio, Reichel, Carlos Luiz, Oliveira, Jarbas Rodrigues de, Astarita, Leandro Vieira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetaminophen; anti-inflammatory; kidney; liver; Melissa officinalis; pleurisy
• ISSN: 1516-8913; 1678-4324; 1516-8913
• DOI: 10.1590/S1516-89132013000300006

This study assessed the bioactive properties of an aqueous extract of M. officinalis for its anti-inflammatory activity and its protection against hepatic and renal lesions induced by acetaminophen (APAP). Animals pre-treated with the crude extract in pleurisy induced by carrageenan showed a reduction in the amounts of exudate, in the numbers of leukocytes and polymorphonuclear cells. Intragastric administration of the extract for seven days prior to the APAP-induced lesion showed no protective effect on the liver. The treatment with the extract induced an increase of serum aspartate aminotransferase, indicating a rise of toxicity. Contrarily, the same treatment reduced the APAP induced lesion in kidney, with respect to ν-glutamyltransferase. The results suggested that the extract was not hepatoprotective and could lead to an increase in the lesions induced by the APAP. On the other hand, the extract was nephroprotective against the lesions induced by the APAP and showed an anti-inflammatory effect on pleurisy carrageenan-induced.