title: Anti-inflammatory properties of extracts, fractions and lignans isolated from Phyllanthus amarus.
abstract: This study assessed the anti-inflammatory effect of the extracts and purified lignans obtained from Phyllanthus amarus. Given orally, the hexane extract (HE), the lignan-rich fraction (LRF), or the lignans phyltetralin, nirtetralin, niranthin, but not hypophyllanthin or phyllanthin, inhibited carrageenan (Cg)-induced paw oedema and neutrophil influx. The HE, the LRF or nirtetralin also inhibited the increase of IL1-beta tissue levels induced by Cg. Furthermore, bradykinin (BK)-, platelet activating factor (PAF)- and endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced paw oedema were significantly inhibited by the HE or LRF while histamine- and substance P-induced paw oedema were unaffected. Finally, nirtetralin or phyltetralin caused inhibition of paw oedema induced by PAF or ET-1. These results show that the HE, the LRF and the lignans niranthin, phyltetralin and nirtetralin exhibited marked anti-inflammatory properties and suggest that these lignans seem to be the main active principles responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties reported for the HE of P. amarus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cândida A L
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Kassuya
authors.forename: Daniela F P
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.forename: Lucilia Vilela
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: de Melo
authors.forename: Vera Lúcia G
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Rehder
authors.forename: João B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Calixto
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002351:Carrageenan; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017705:Lignans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D029803:Phyllanthus; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D017705:Lignans; D010936:Plant Extracts; C512682:hypophyllanthin; D002351:Carrageenan