Flavonoids from the aerial parts of Houttuynia cordata attenuate lung inflammation in mice.
The aerial parts of Houttuynia cordata used for treating inflammation-related disorders contain flavonoids as major constituents. Since certain flavonoids possess anti-inflammatory activity, especially in the lung, the pharmacological activities of H. cordata and the flavonoid constituents were evaluated using in vitro and in vivo models of lung inflammation. The 70 % ethanol extract of the aerial parts of H. cordata inhibited the production of inflammatory biomarkers IL-6 and NO in lung epithelial cells (A549) and alveolar macrophages (MH-S), respectively. And the same plant material, administered orally (100 and 400 mg/kg), significantly inhibited lung inflammatory response in a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury. From the extract, major flavonoids including afzelin, hyperoside and quercitrin were successfully isolated and they also attenuated LPS-induced lung inflammation in mice by oral administration. In particular, quercitrin showed most potent activity at 100 mg/kg. These results demonstrate for the first time that H. cordata and three flavonoid constituents have a therapeutic potential for treating lung inflammatory disorders.
College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 200-701, Korea.
Ju Hee
JH
Lee
Jongmin
J
Ahn
Jin Woong
JW
Kim
Sang Gook
SG
Lee
Hyun Pyo
HP
Kim
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D052859:Houttuynia / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008362:Mannosides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D044945:Proanthocyanidins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011794:Quercetin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008362:Mannosides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D044945:Proanthocyanidins; C012526:quercitrin; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C477954:afzelin; C021304:hyperoside; D011794:Quercetin