Indian Lycium is a natural remedy for both acute and chronic inflammation

To satisfy the need for safe and effective drugs against diseases like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, a group of researchers from Riphah International University evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of Indian Lycium (Berberis lycium). In this study, which was published in The Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, the researchers determined the effects of Indian Lycium on both chronic and acute models of inflammation.

• Rheumatism refers to a group of disorders characterized by pain and inflammation in the joints and other connective tissues. These diseases are caused by the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, along with mediators like prostaglandin, nitric oxide, and histamine.
• Conventional treatments for inflammatory diseases include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Both of these drugs are associated with adverse side effects like bleeding, peptic ulcers, and holes in the gastric mucosa.
• Indian Lycium is traditionally used for treating diarrhea, jaundice, gingivitis, fever, internal wounds, rheumatism, and many other diseases.
• Previous studies have shown that the Indian Lycium possesses antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, immunomodulatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, and antioxidant effects. These biological activities can be attributed to the presence of various phytochemicals, including berberine, berbamine, sindamine, and punjabine.
• In this study, the researchers used carrageenan and xylene to induce acute inflammation in mice while they induced chronic inflammation using formalin. They then determined the effects of the Indian Lycium on these animal models.
• The researchers also determined the phytochemicals present in the Indian Lycium extracts.

From this study, the researchers observed that extracts from Indian Lycium effectively reduced both chronic and acute inflammation in a dose-dependent manner, proving that the plant can be used as an effective treatment against rheumatism.

Read the full text of the study at this link. ^[PDF]

Learn more about the different natural remedies for inflammation by visiting NaturalCures.news today.

Journal Reference:

Minhas AM, Khan AU, Miana GA. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIONS OF BERBERIS LYCIUM (WHOLE PLANT) IN ACUTE AND CHRONIC MODELS OF INFLAMMATION IN MICE. The Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences. 2018. 28(3). ISSN: 1018-7081