Assessment of In vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity: A Comprehensive Review of Methods, Advantages, and Limitations
DSHS Peiris *
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka.
DTK Fernando
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka.
SPNN Senadeera
Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
CB Ranaweera *
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: Inflammation is a vital biological response that plays an important role during tissue repair and defense against infections. A range of transcription factors (including NF-KB and AP-1), enzymes (Cycooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) mediates this process. The dysregulation of inflammation can lead to chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis. Corticosteroids and Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often used as anti-inflammatory drugs. Despite their effectiveness, the prolonged use of these drugs comes with various side effects. Therefore, there is a growing demand for safer but effective anti-inflammatory drugs. Plants and plant-based products have a rich history for their medicinal properties. Hence, medicinal plants can be a strong alternative for developing new anti-inflammatory drugs.
Materials and Methods: In vitro assays are frequently utilized for the initial screening of natural products for their pharmacological properties as they are cost-effective, direct, and time-efficient. Protein denaturation inhibition assays, membrane stabilization assays, enzyme inhibition (COX/LOX), and nitric oxide assays are commonly used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of drugs.
Conclusion: This review explores frequently utilized In vitro assays to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity, outlining their principles, methodologies, advantages, and limitations. It aims to help researchers choose appropriate techniques for drug discovery and the development of anti-inflammatory medications. However, the inability of In vitro models to fully replicate the complexity of living organism responses remains a significant limitation.
Keywords: Anti-inflammatory activity, protein denaturation, membrane stabilization, medicinal plants, In vitro assays