Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of active compounds from Arnica montana L.

Several plant products are used as antioxidant agents to treat inflammation-related disorders. In recent years, encapsulation of biologic active compounds in lipid vesicles was shown to improve their bioavailability and transdermal delivery. The aim of this study was to prepare two arnica extracts of polyphenols (Pf) and polysaccharides (Pz) and their liposomal formulations (L-Pf, L-Pz) and to characterize their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. Cytocompatible concentrations of Pf (50 mu g/ml), Pz (0.5 mu g/ml), L-Pf and L-Pz were tested for cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory activity in a model of hydrogen peroxide-stressed fibroblast cell culture by assessment of lactate dehydrogenase activity, cell morphology and pro-inflammatory cytokines production. The results demonstrated that L-Pf and L-Pz protected better the cell membrane against oxidative damage and had significantly (p<0.05) higher anti-inflammatory activity compared to their non-encapsulated forms. All these findings showed that the liposomal formulations of arnica extracts could be useful in topic treatment of inflammatory skin disorders.