Anti-inflammatory effect of resin fraction of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema

Volatile and non-volatile fractions of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) seeds were evaluated for anti-in-
flammatory influence in paw edema-induced Wistar rats. Groups of rats were orally administered with car-
damom oil, cardamom resin, and standard compounds of the volatile cardamom oil fraction as a single dose. Paw
inflammation was measured at hourly intervals for 6 h post-carrageenan administration (i.p.). In another set,
groups of rats were maintained for 10 days on diets containing cardamom oil and cardamom resin, and paw
edema was induced at the end. Among the cardamom fractions administered orally, aqueous and acetone ex-
tracts showed a higher degree of inhibition (31 and 30%) compared to ibuprofen (23%). Cardamom oil exhibited
11% inhibition in the first hour, while 1,8-cineole produced 9.5% inhibition in the second hour. In the dietary
study, de-oiled cardamom powder showed 9% inhibition at the first hour, while cardamom powder and car-
damom oil were not effective in inhibiting the inflammation. De-oiled cardamom powder (obtained by acetone
extraction) was effective indicating that non-volatile compounds present in this resin fraction are responsible for
the anti-inflammatory effect. Thus, the components of the non-volatile (resin) portion of cardamom viz., poly-
phenols, fatty acids, and sterols are responsible for the anti-inflammatory potential of cardamom seeds.