Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Prunella Vulgaris Tea

Prunella vulgaris is a traditional herb commonly consumed as brewed tea in Asian and European countries. The therapeutic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of this traditional herbal tea are relatively unknown. The study examined, using established in vivo markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions of Prunella vulgaris tea in-vitro, which were compared with those measured from green and black tea. Prunella vulgaris tea significantly decreased the human neutrophilic formations of F2-isoprostanes, lipid hydroperoxides, and leukotriene B4, while increasing those of nitrite and nitrate. The measured antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects were greater than those from green and black tea. Prunella vulgaris tea exerted antioxidant effects via electron-transfer radical scavenging and up-regulated antioxidant enzyme activities, and anti-inflammatory effects by modulating 5-lipoxygenase, myeloperoxidase, and inducible nitric oxide pathways. The study results provide evidence supporting further investigations in the in vivo conditions.