Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of Safoof Mohazzil: A traditional, poly-herbal Unani formulation for obesity

Inflammation and oxidative stress have been reported in obesity. Safoof Mohazzil, is a traditional formulation prescribed by Unani physicians for weight loss. In the present study, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Safoof Mohazzil were evaluated using pyrogallol induced hepatotoxicity and carrageenan induced paw edema, respectively, in male Wistar rats. For the antioxidant study, rats were treated with Safoof Mohazzil for 14 days at the doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg, p.o. On 14th day, 2 hrs after the last dose of Unani formulation, pyrogallol (100 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally and on next day the animals were sacrificed for estimation of hepatic oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione). Safoof Mohazzil demonstrated dose-dependent anti-oxidant activity. To assess its anti-inflammatory property, Safoof Mohazzil was administered at the doses of 500 & 1000 mg/kg, p.o. for 7 days and on 7th day carrageenan was administered 1 hr after the last dose of Unani formulation. The change in paw volume was calculated at 1, 3 and 6 hrs. Significant anti-inflammatory activity was found at 1000 mg/kg dose which is the human equivalent of its anti-obesity dose. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of Safoof Mohazzil support its use in obesity and possibly metabolic syndrome.