Anti-inflammatory effects of essential oil, aerial parts and hairy roots extracts of Nepeta pogonosperma on rat brain mixed cells

Background and objectives: Many Nepeta species have been commonly used in Iranian folk medicine as tranquilizer, relaxant, carminative and restorative tonic for nervous and respiratory disorders. Inflammation is a problem in many diseases and has an important role in brain function that can cause neurodegenerative disorders. Inflamed glial cells can exacerbate neurodegenerative diseases by producing neurotoxins. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory effects of essential oil, aerial parts and hairy roots extracts of Nepeta pogonosperma Jamzad & Assadi have been evaluated on rat brain mixed cells. Methods: Inflamed mixed glial cells from rats' brains were treated with different concentrations of essential oil and extracts from aerial parts and hairy roots of Nepeta pogonosperma to evaluate their anti-inflammatory effects. No level as the indicator for inflammation was measured. Results: The results revealed that 0.5 mu L/mL of the essential oil reduced NO production significantly. In addition, some hairy root extract concentrations led to reduce it, although the extract of the aerial parts of the plant did not affect NO production. Conclusion: This research has confirmed the anti-inflammatory potential of essential oil and hairy root extract of Nepeta pogonosperma on rat brain mixed cells.