I am not aware of any biological relationship between anti-inflammatory activity and inhibition of protein denaturation. A possible relationship might be if the anti-inflammatory agent stabilized a receptor to which it binds to exert its anti-inflammatory effect. For example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs exert their effect, at least in part, by inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzymes. It is often observed that proteins are somewhat stabilized to thermal denaturation when ligands are bound. So aspirin, for example, might stabilize cyclooxygenase to thermal dentauration as a result of binding to it.

The cited paper, however, uses bovine albumin (presumably bovine serum albumin) as the ligand. Albumin binds many drugs in the plasma as well as fatty acids, so it is not surprising that it would exhibit increased thermal stability if it binds a component of a plant extract. The problem is that albumin is not part of the inflammatory cascade, so it is difficult to understand the relevance of albumin binding to anti-inflammatory activity.

This is a quote from the cited paper, that I suppose is the justification for the measurement:

"Denaturation of proteins is a well documented cause of inflammation."

I have never heard this before. It seems to me that if your proteins are being denatured, it reflects some sort of injury, such as a thermal or chemical burn, which has effects beyond protein denaturation. The inflammation would then be a response to the injury, not to the protein denaturation. Also, it does not follow logically that preventing the protein denaturation with a drug or plant extract would prevent the inflammation, which is a response to the injury, not the denaturation.

There are established in vitro tests for anti-inflammatory activity, such as release of cytokines.

https://www.washingtonbiotech.com/in_vivo_services/support_services/compound-screening-anti-inflammatory.html

http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/23/9/1729

In vivo models are also used.

Thank you Adam B Shapiro for your kind detailed response. Whether HRBC membrane stabilization assay or Proteinase inhibition assay (mentioned in the same article) can be considered as screening test to identify the anti inflammatory activity. In other words, can we consider any simple tests or assays to identify the anti inflammatory activity of plant extract before going to in vivo or cell lines (as a student have to more conscious about such expenses). So now I need any simple tests for identification then to such enzymatic and in vivo tests.

Since there are multiple points at which an anti-inflammatory substance might act, a simple in vitro test could easily miss an anti-inflammatory effect that worked at a different point biologically than the one being tested. Moreover, the particular tests you mentioned don't seem relevant.

However, there are well-known targets of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as COX-1 and COX-2 and the glucocorticoid receptor.Article Anti-inflammatory drugs and their mechanism of action

Article Glucocorticoids: Mechanisms of action and anti-inflammatory ...

In vitro assays with the COX enzymes and cell-based assays with the GC receptor could be used to test plant extracts for potential anti-inflammatory activity.

I recommend that you delve into the literature on the biology of inflammation and the mechanism of action of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Thank you so much Adam B Shapiro

Do not do research on it

Protein denaturation is a process in which proteins lose their tertiary and secondary structure by application of external stress thereby, lose their biological function. Denaturation of proteins as one of the causes of inflammation is well documented thus, the development of arthritis (chronic inflammation) as well as the production of auto-antigens in certain rheumatic diseases have been reported to be associated with gradual loss of proteins.

Therfore, in my opinion, plants extracts with protein denaturation inhibition activity migth be consider as source of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Adam B Shapiro, I was convinced with your response to my question. But I am really confused when go through many papers which are giving idea about same experiment. I attach some of those papers. I hope you may go through it and considered this query as worthy to respond. thank you.

I do not wish to appear elitist, but I don't know these journals. They may be highly respected within their spheres of influence. However, are you aware of any more widely cited journals in which the test in question was published? I should also say that I am not an expert in the field of anti-inflammatory drugs, so it would be good to hear the opinion of other scientists who are directly involved in this field about the relevance of these tests.