Anti-inflammatory and Anti-allergic Effects of German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomillaL.)

Abstract The anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects of volatile and non-volatile components of German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) were studied. The result showed that the volatile essential oil and non-volatile components, namely the aqueous extract and flower-water of German Chamomile, could significantly inhibit pedal swelling induced by carrageenan in rat, ear swelling induced by xylol in mice, the increase of celiac capillary vessel permeability induced by HAC in mice, and the concentration increase of PGE2 and NO during pedal swelling induced by carrageenan in rat, as well as heterogeneity passive skin allergy in mice's ear and the inching reaction caused by dextran in mice. The essential oil had the most remarkable inhibitory effect. It showed both the volatile and non-volatile component of German Chamomile had remarkable anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects.