title: Effect of cadmium accumulation on anti-inflammatory activity in two Eucomis species.
abstract: Eucomis species (Hyacinthaceae) are widely used in South Africa as traditional medicine. The bulbs are used to alleviate a variety of symptoms including pain and inflammation. High levels of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX-1 and COX-2) inhibitory activity have been associated with certain Eucomis species. The aim of this study was to quantify cadmium(Cd) accumulation and examine its effect on COX-1 and COX-2 anti-inflammatory activity in Eucomis autumnalis and Eucomis humilis. Cadmium application at 2 mg L(-1) over a 6 week period revealed a substantial difference in total Cd accumulation in E. autumnalis and E. humilis (40.2 and 15.3 mg Cd kg-1, respectively). When supplied with Cd at 2 mg L(-1), E. humilis bulbous extracts showed lower inhibitory activity than the control for both COX-1 and COX-2. E. autumnalis bulbous extracts had greater COX-1 activity compared to the control. While COX-2 activity was suppressed. Researchers should be aware of the effect of environmental contaminants when reporting on biological activity of crude plant extracts.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa.
authors.forename: Renée A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Street
authors.forename: Esameldin E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Elgorashi
authors.forename: Manoj G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.forename: Wendy A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Stirk
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Southway
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Staden
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002104:Cadmium / Q000378:metabolism*; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D019668:Liliaceae / Q000378:metabolism*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D002104:Cadmium; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2