Bioactivity guided evaluation of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Arceuthobium oxycedri (D.C.) M. Bieb.

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Arceuthobium oxycedri (D.C.) M. Bieb. (Loranthaceae) or dwarf mistletoe is a rare semi-parasitic plant that lives on the branches of Juniperus oxycedrus as the host plant. In Turkish folk medicine, the plant is prescribed as a panacea for every kind of diseases, including, against infectious and inflammatory disorders of upper respiratory system and gastro-intestinal complaints or as a hypotensive remedy.

Aim of the study

In the current study, in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of Arceuthobium oxycedri have been investigated.

Material and methods

The crude ethanolic extract of the whole plant was sequentially fractionated into five subextracts; explicitly, n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol, and remaining water extracts. Further studies were carried out on the most active subextract, i.e. the EtOAc subextract, was further subjected to fractionation through successive column chromatographic applications on Silica gel 60, Sephadex LH-20 and LiChropep RP-18. For the activity assessment, each extract or fraction was submitted to bioassay systems; carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model for anti-inflammatory activity and p-benzoquinone induced abdominal contraction test for antinociceptive activity assessment.

Results

Among the extracts obtained, the ethanolic extract, EtOAc and n-butanol subextracts showed significant inhibitory activity in the bioassay systems. From the EtOAc subextract, a major component was isolated and its structure was determined as (+)-catechin by means of spectral techniques.

Conclusion

Present study confirms the claimed utilization of the plant against inflammatory complaints in Turkish folk medicine.     

SR-A受体参与抑制LPS刺激RAW264.7产生炎症因子

目的 探讨清道夫受体A能否抑制LPS刺激RAW264．7产生炎症因子。方法 LPS诱导小鼠巨噬细胞株RAW264．7SR-A受体上调后,用LPS再次刺激,观察SR-A受体的上调能否抑制RAW264．7对LPS的反应,最后采用遗传互补实验观察转染SR-A受体后能否抑制LPS活化NF-κB。结果 LPS刺激SR-A受体已上调的RAW264．7产生的炎症因子明显下降,而遗传互补实验证实SR-A受体确实能抑制LPS通过TLR4活化NF-κB。结论 SR-A受体参与负调控LPS对RAW264．7的活化,防止过强的炎症反应。