title: Alkannin and shikonin: effect on free radical processes and on inflammation - a preliminary pharmacochemical investigation.
abstract: Alkannin and shikonin, two natural products from Alkanna tinctoria and Lithospermum erhythrorhizon (Boraginaceae), are used in folk medicine where they are claimed to possess, among other properties, wound healing and anti-inflammatory activity. We investigated, together with the structurally related naphthazarin, their in vitro antioxidant and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity as well as their in vivo antiinflammatory activity. I was found that all examined compounds significantly inhibited in vitro lipid peroxidation of ra hepatic microsomal membranes, competed with DMSO for free hydroxyl radicals, and reduced inflammation (mouse paw edema induced by FCA) very efficiently. The examined compounds proved equal or superior to the common reference compounds for each of these properties. I is concluded that the claimed and/or proven actions of alkannin and shikonin are attributable at least partly to their intervention in free radical processes.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. angeliki@pharm.auth.gr
authors.forename: Angeliki P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Kourounakis
authors.forename: Andreana N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Assimopoulou
authors.forename: Vassilios P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Papageorgiou
authors.forename: Antonis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gavalas
authors.forename: Panos N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Kourounakis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D009285:Naphthoquinones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D009285:Naphthoquinones; C018204:alkannin; C016101:shikonin; C005503:naphthazarin; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide