Hydroalcoholic Extract of Matricaria chamomilla effectively reduces inflammation induced by xylene in rat

Introduction: Due to side effects of antiinflammatory drugs such as dexamethasone and indomethacin, there is a less tendency to use them. On the other hand, the use of medicinal plants has been common in the treatment of inflammation since ancient times and also, using of the plants is increasing. Present research investigated the antiinflammatory effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of capitols of Matricaria chamomilla (M. chamomilla) in rat. Materials and methods: The hydroalcoholic extract of capitols of M. chamomilla [(at the doses of 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg BW (body weight)] and dexamethasone and indomethacin (at the dose of 15 mg/kg BW) were intraperitoneally injected to the rats. The weights of the ears of animal after induced inflammation by xylene and then, after the mentioned treatments were set as indices of antiinflammatory effects. Results: Hydroalcoholic extract of the capitols of M. chamomilla at the dose of 1500 mg/kg BW significantly reduced the xylene induced inflammation in the rats (P<0.01). Also, hydro-alcoholic extract of the herb at the doses of 500, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg BW significantly reduced the acetic acid induced inflammatory pain (P<0.001). Conclusion: The extract of the capitols of M. chamomilla have antiinflammatory effects that is comparative to the antiinflammatory effects of traditional antiinflammatory drugs such as dexamethasone and indomethacin.