Pharmacological evaluation of ellagic acid for the treatment of common dermatological disorders in Wistar rats

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1 Research Article Pharmacological evaluation of ellagic acid for the treatment of common dermatological disorders in Wistar rats J. Naga Lakshmi*, T. Vandanaraj, K. Sahithi, A. Narendra Babu ABSTRACT Aim: The objective of the study is mainly to perform pharmacological evaluation of ellagic acid for the treatment of common dermatological disorders in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: (a) For psoriasis control group, rats were treated with the vehicle (water) alone. For disease control group, psoriasis was induced to the rats, did not receive any treatment. For standard group, psoriasis was induced to the rats and treated with salicylic acid at the dose level of 0.1% by applying on to the upper surface of the tail. For the first test group, psoriasis was induced to the rats and treatment was performed once daily by the topical administration for 16 days 0.5% of the ellagic acid. For the second test group, psoriasis was induced to the rats and treatment was performed once daily by the topical administration for 16 days 1.0% of the ellagic acid. (b) For dermatitis control group, dermatitis was induced to the rats, did not receive any treatment. For low-dose test group, dermatitis was induced to the rats and treatment was performed once daily by oral administration 25 mg/day ellagic acid. For high-dose test group, dermatitis was induced to the rats and treatment was performed once daily by oral administration 50 mg/day ellagic acid. Results: Psoriasis was induced by repeated application of ultraviolet (UV)-light on rat tail, and ellagic acid of concentrations 0.5% and 1% had shown same effects in reducing tail thickness as that of the standard drug salicylic acid had shown. Dermatitis was also induced by UV-light ellagic acid of concentrations 0.5% and 1% had shown more effect in reducing tail weight and epidermal thickness when compared to the standard drug salicylic acid. Conclusion: Histopathological study of ellagic acid does not showed significant effect when compared with standard drug for treating psoriasis, but ellagic acid was proved to be effective for treating dermatitis. KEY WORDS: Dermatitis, Ellagic acid, Epidermal thickness, Psoriasis, Salicylic acid, Tail weight INTRODUCTION The term tannin refers to the use of tannins in tanning animal hides into leather; however, the term is widely applied to any large polyphenolic compound containing sufficient hydroxyls and other suitable groups (such as carboxyls) to form strong complexes with proteins and other macromolecules. [1,2] Tannins are secondary metabolites of plants, nonnitrogenous, and phenolic in nature. They have a property to precipitate gelatin and heavy metals. Tannins are astringent, bitter plant polyphenols that either bind and precipitate or shrink proteins. The astringency from the tannins is that which causes the dry and puckery feeling in the mouth following the consumption of red wine, strong tea, or an unripened fruit. Tannins are found as shapeless yellowish or light brown masses such as powder, flakes, or sponge. [3,4] Ellagic acid is a polyphenol, found in certain fruits and nuts including grapes, strawberries, raspberries, pomegranate, Morinda citrifolia, Terminalia chebula, and walnut. This phenol is one of the most promising chemopreventive agents. [5,6] Medical findings in Europe shows that ellagic acid may reduce the incidence of birth defects promote wound healing, reduce chemically induced liver fibrosis and may help in the fight against heart disease. It also has antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. [7,8] Access this article online Website: jprsolutions.info ISSN: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the skin, nails, and joint. Between 0.6% and 4.8% of Department of Pharmacology, Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lam, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India *Corresponding author: J. Naga Lakshmi, Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lam, Guntur , Andhra Pradesh, India. Phone: nagalakshmi@gmail.com Received on: ; Revised on: ; Accepted on: Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol 11 Issue

2 the general population is affected with psoriasis. It is grouped under the papulosquamous disorders. [9] Figure 1: Ellagic acid Erythema is a skin condition characterized by redness or rash. There are many types of erythema including photosensitivity, erythema multiforme, and erythema nodosum. Photosensitivity is caused by a reaction to sunlight and tends to occur when something, such as an infection or a medication, increases sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. Erythema multiforme is Figure 2: Identification of functional groups of ellagic acid in infrared spectra Figure 3: Effect of ellagic acid on the thickness (mm) of rat tail induced by repeated application of ultraviolet-light 1422 Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol 11 Issue

3 characterized by raised spots or other lesions on the skin. It is usually caused by a reaction to medications, infections, or illness. Erythema nodosum is a form of erythema that is accompanied by tender lumps, usually on the legs below the knees, and may be caused by certain medications or diseases. [10] The effects of ellagic acid on psoriasis and dermatitis were discussed in this article. MATERIALS AND METHODS Psoriatic Activity Group 1 (control group): Rats were treated with the vehicle (water) alone. Group 2 (disease control): Psoriasis was induced to the rats, did not receive any treatment and hence served as the disease control. Table 1: Functional group analysis by IR Spectra Functional groups Wave number (cm 1 ) Stretching Bending O-H Alcohol C=O Ketone C=C Alkane N-O Nitro C-O Alcohol C-O Ether C-Cl Alkyl halide Table 2: Effect of ellagic acid on the thickness (mm) of rat tail induced by repeated application of UV-light Group 7 days 10 days 13 days 16 days Control (G1) 0.51± ± ± ±0.05 Disease Control (G2) 0.51± ± ± ±0.05 Salicylic acid 0.51± ± ± ±0.05 Ellagic acid 0.5% (G4) 0.51± ± ± ±0.05 Ellagic acid 1 % (G5) 0.51± ± ± ±0.05 UV: Ultraviolet Table 3: Effect of ellagic acid on the change in weight and epidermal thickness of rat tail induced by repeated application of UV-light Parameters Control Salicylic acid Ellagic acid (0.5%) Ellagic acid (1%) Tail weight (mg) 82.5± ± ± ±13.2 Epidermal thickness (µm) 93± ± ± ±11.8 UV: Ultraviolet a b c d Figure 4: (a) Untreated control showing thin epidermal layer; (b) two to three-fold thickness of rat tail epidermal layer in disease control; (c) decreased thickness of epidermal layer treated with salicylic acid; (d and e) ellagic acid of two different concentrations, i.e., 0.5% and 1% showing less effect in decreasing the epidermal thickness e Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol 11 Issue

4 Figure 5: Effect of ellagic acid on the change in weight and epidermal thickness of rat tail induced by repeated application of ultraviolet-light a b c d Figure 6: (a) Control showing thin epidermal layer; (b) two to three-fold thick epidermal layer in disease control; (c) salicylic acid showing reduced thickness of epidermal layer; (d and e) two different concentrations of ellagic acid, i.e., 0.5% and 1% showing reduced thickness of epidermal layer as that of the standard group e Group 3 (standard group): Psoriasis was induced to the rats and treated with salicylic acid at the dose level of 0.1% by applying on to the upper surface of the tail. Groups 4 (test group): Psoriasis was induced to the rats and treatment was performed once daily by the topical administration for 16 days 0.5% of the ellagic acid. Groups 5 (test group): Psoriasis was induced to the rats and treatment was performed once daily by the topical administration for 16 days 1.0% of the ellagic acid. Dermatitis Group 1 (control group): Dermatitis was induced to the rats, did not receive any treatment. Group 2 (low dose): Dermatitis was induced to the rats and treatment was performed once daily by oral administration 25 mg/day ellagic acid. Group 3 (high dose): Dermatitis was induced to the rats and treatment was performed once daily by oral administration 50 mg/day ellagic acid. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Ultraviolet (UV) spectrum [Figure 1] Infrared analysis [Figure 2 and Table 1] Psoriatic activity [Table 2 and Figure 3] Histopathology studies [Figure 4] Dermatitis [Table 3, Figures 4 and 5] Histopathology studies [Figure 6] 1424 Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol 11 Issue

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