Skin anti-inflammatory activity of apigenin-7-glucoside in rats.

The effect of apigenin-7-glucoside on skin inflammation induced by different generators of reactive oxygen species and free radicals was studied. Skin inflammation in rats was induced by intradermal injection of glucose-oxidase (hydrogen peroxide), xanthine-oxidase/hypoxanthine (superoxide anion radical), and cumene hydroperoxide (peroxyl radical). Subsequent intradermal application of liposomal apigenin-7-glucoside inhibited in a dose dependent manner skin inflammation caused by xanthine-oxidase and cumene hydroperoxide. Glucose-oxidase induced dermatitis was not significantly inhibited. The results are in good agreement with the in-vitro superoxide anion radical and peroxyl radical scavenging properties of apigenin and indicate that its antioxidant properties contribute to the anti-inflammatory effect in this model system.