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Inhibitory Effects of the Flavonoids Isolated from Waltheria indica on the Production of NO, TNF-.ALPHA. and IL-12 in Activated Macrophages

2005; Pharmaceutical Society of Japan; Volume: 28; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1248/bpb.28.912

1347-5215

Yerra Koteswara Rao, Shih‐Hua Fang, Yew‐Min Tzeng,

Biological Activity of Diterpenoids and Biflavonoids

Three flavonoids were isolated from the whole plants of Waltheria indica and biological properties investigated. On the basis of their spectroscopic data, these compounds were identified as (−)-epicatechin, quercetin, and tiliroside. These flavonoids significantly and dose-dependently inhibited the production of the inflammatory mediator nitric oxide (NO), and the cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-12), in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon (IFN)-γ activated murine peritoneal macrophages, without displaying cytotoxicity. The order of inhibitory activity was quercetin>tiliroside>(−)-epicatechin. Furthermore, peritoneal macrophages were pre-activated with LPS/IFN-γ for 24 h, and the inhibitory effects of the above mentioned isolates on the production of NO were determined after a further 24 h, to address the possible mechanisms of their action. The present study supports the use of W. indica for the treatment of inflammatory diseases in traditional medicine.