title: Anti-inflammatory and antiulcerogenic activities of leaf extracts and sesquiterpene from Teucrium ramosissimum (Lamiaceae).
abstract: Teucrium ramosissimum (Lamiaceae) is a native and endemic medicinal plant from South of Tunisia traditionally used for the treatment of many diseases. The anti-inflammatory and antiulcerogenic activities of sesquiterpene (β-eudesmol), chloroform, and ethyl acetate leaf extracts from T. ramosissimum were assayed. Macrophage phagocytic activity and lymphocyte proliferation in the absence and presence of mitogens (lipopolysaccharide [LPS] or lectin) were investigated. Depending on the concentrations, the extracts affect macrophage functions by modulating their lysosomal enzyme activity and nitric oxide (NO) release. For lymphocyte proliferation assay, tested extracts enhance significantly cell proliferation either with or without mitogen stimulation. These results suggest that leaf extracts from T. ramosissimum contain potent components such as flavonoids that may be potentially useful for modulating immune cell functions in physiological and pathological conditions. Antiulcerogenic activity was examined on rat ethanol-induced ulcerogenic model. Compared with control (cimetidine), leaf extracts from T. ramosissimum exert different protective effects against ethanol-induced ulcerogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Unity of Pharmacognosy/Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Rue Avicenne, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Mohamed Ben
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Sghaier
authors.forename: Hedi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Harizi
authors.forename: Teheni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Louhichi
authors.forename: Mounira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krifa
authors.forename: Kamel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ghedira
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chekir-Ghedira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D031367:Teucrium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014416:Tunisia
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D000431:Ethanol