Anti-inflammatory constituents from Perovskia atriplicifolia

Abstract

Context: Perovskia atriplicifolia Benth (Labiantae) has long been used as a traditional herbal medicine for anti-inflammation in Pakistan; this prompted us to isolate anti-inflammatory compounds from this plant.

Objective: The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize the anti-inflammatory principles from Perovskia atriplicifolia.

Materials and methods: The CHCl₃-soluble fraction of the methanol extract of the whole plant on column chromatography yielded compounds 1–6. The anti-inflammatory potential of the compounds 1–6 was evaluated by Leukotriene C4 (LTC₄) Release Assay which was performed according to the established protocol. LTC₄ in the supernatant of each well was measured using an ELISA kit (Cayman Chemical Co., Ann Arbor, MI).

Results: The bioassay-guided phytochemical investigation of the CHCl₃ soluble fraction of the methanol extract of Perovskia atriplicifolia furnished six compounds, abrotanone (1), abrotandiol (2), (+)-pinoresinol (3), (+)-syringaresinol (4), (+)-lariciresinol (5), and (+)-taxiresinol (6). The compounds (1–6) were evaluated for their inhibitory activities on LTC₄ release. Among the tested compounds, (+)-taxiresinol (6) exhibited the most potent inhibition of LTC₄ release with an IC₅₀ value of 3.4?±?0.09?µM followed by compounds 4, 5, 3, and 2 with an IC₅₀ value ranging from 7.9?±?0.04 to 17.2?±?0.07?µM. Abrotanone (1) showed the lowest inhibition of LTC₄ release with an IC₅₀ value of 35.1?±?0.05?µM (the positive control, zileuton, 0.77?±?0.05?µM).

Conclusion: Compounds 1–6 were found to possess inhibitory activity and seem to have potential therapeutic effect on inflammatory diseases.