title: Inhibitory effects of the flavonoids isolated from Waltheria indica on the production of NO, TNF-alpha and IL-12 in activated macrophages.
abstract: 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)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-12), in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon (IFN)-gamma 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-gamma 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biotechnology, Chaoyang University of Technology, Wufeng 413, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Yerra Koteswara
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Shih-Hua
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Yew-Min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Tzeng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D019660:Malvaceae; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D007376:Interleukin-2; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009569:Nitric Oxide