title: Topical anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and compounds from Hypericum perforatum L.
abstract: Three preparations of Hypericum perforatum L. (a hydroalcoholic extract, a lipophilic extract and an ethylacetic fraction) and the pure compounds hypericin, adhyperforin, amentoflavone, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, hyperforin dicyclohexylammonium (DHCA) salt and dicyclohexylamine were evaluated for their topical anti-inflammatory activity. H. perforatum preparations provoked a dose-dependent reduction of Croton-oil-induced ear oedema in mice, showing the following rank order of activity: lipophilic extract > ethylacetic fraction > hydroalcoholic extract (ID50 (dose that inhibited oedema by 50%) 220, 267 and >1000 microg cm(-2), respectively). Amentoflavone (ID50 0.16 micromol cm(-2)), hypericin (ID50 0.25 micromol cm(-2)), hyperforin DHCA salt (ID50 0.25 micromol cm(-2)) and adhyperofrin (ID50 0.30 micromol cm(-2)) had anti-inflammatory activity that was more potent or comparable to that of indometacin (ID50 0.26 micromol cm(-2)), whereas isoquercitrin and hyperoside were less active (ID50 about 1 micromol cm(-2)). As dicyclohexylamine alone was inactive, the effect of hyperforin DHCA salt can be attributed completely to the phloroglucinol moiety. The pharmacological activity and phytochemical profile of the tested extracts and fraction suggest that different constituents are involved in the topical antiphlogistic property of H. perforatum in-vivo.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento dei Materiali e delle Risorse Naturali, Università di Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sosa
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pace
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bornancin
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morazzoni
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riva
authors.forename: Aurelia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tubaro
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Della Loggia
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000873:Anthracenes; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D003436:Croton Oil; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D035264:Flowers; D020902:Hypericum / Q000737:chemistry*; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010569:Perylene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D010696:Phloroglucinol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D013729:Terpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000873:Anthracenes; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds; D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013729:Terpenes; C423123:adhyperforin; D010569:Perylene; C004965:hypericin; D003436:Croton Oil; D010696:Phloroglucinol; C056602:pseudohypericin; C001654:hyperforin