Anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer properties of hypolaetin-8-glucoside, a novel plant flavonoid

The anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-ulcer activities of a novel flavonoid, hypolaetin-8-glucoside, obtained from Sideritis mugronensis, have been tested in the rat. The flavonoid was more potent than phenylbutazone in suppressing the acute phase of adjuvant-carrageenan-induced inflammation, but had less effect in the prolonged inflammatory phase. However, unlike phenylbutazone, it did not cause gastric erosions. Both compounds were equiactive in inhibiting the development of carrageenan-induced abscesses, whereas phenylbutazone had greater analgesic activity in tests on pressure pain threshold. The flavonoid and cimetidine both prevented the formation of cold-restraint induced gastric lesions, but cimetidine was more potent. These results show that hypolaetin-8-glucoside combines both anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer properties and suggest that it may offer useful alternatives to anti-inflammatory drugs of the aspirin type.