title: Triterpenoid contents and anti-inﬂammatory properties of the methanol extracts of ligustrum species leaves.
abstract: Ligustrum (privet) plants are used by Chinese physicians to prevent and cure hepatitis and chronic bronchitis. Three common Ligustrum plant spp., namely Ligustrum lucidum Ait. (LL), L. pricei Hayata (LP) and L. sinensis Lour. (LS) were collected to assess their analgesic/anti-inflammatory properties on chemical-induced nociception and carrageenan-induced inflammation in rodents. The methanol extracts from Ligustrum plants leaves effectively inhibited nociceptive responses induced by 1% acetic acid and 1% formalin. LP and LL reduced the edema induced by 1% carrageenan. LP exhibited the best potency of the Ligustrum plants. Furthermore, LP reduced the abdominal Evan's blue extravasations caused by lipopolysaccharide, lipoteichoic acid, autocrines and sodium nitroprusside. The triterpenoid content of the three Ligustrum spp. was measured by high performance liquid chromatography using a photodiode array detector. LP contained the highest content of amyrin, betulinic acid and lupeol. LL had the highest content of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid. The various degrees of analgesic/anti-inflammatory effects among three Ligustrum plants may be related to their different triterpenoid contents. LP is a potential analgesic and anti-inflammatory Ligustrum plant. The effects of LP are partially related to the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 activity and a decrease in microvascular permeability via the actions of autocrines and kinins.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, China Medical University, 91 Hsieh Shih Road, Taichung 40402, Taiwan. crw@mail.cmu.du.tw
authors.forename: Chi-Rei
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: You-Cheng
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Hseu
authors.forename: Jin-Cherng
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lien
authors.forename: Li-Wei
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yung-Ta
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ching
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D031659:Ligustrum / Q000737:chemistry*; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014315:Triterpenes; D000432:Methanol