title: Polyphenols from Cymbopogon citratus leaves as topical anti-inflammatory agents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A variety of plant polyphenols have been reported to have anti-inflammatory, frequently associated with erythema, edema, hyperplasia, skin photoaging and photocarcinogenesis. Cymbopogon citratus (DC). Stapf (Poaceae) is a worldwide known medicinal plant, used in traditional medicine in inflammation-related conditions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this work, the anti-inflammatory potential of C. citratus infusion (CcI) and its polyphenols as topical agents was evaluated in vivo.
  
  
  METHODS
  The plant extract was prepared and its fractioning led two polyphenol-rich fractions: flavonoids fraction (CcF) and tannins fraction (CcT). An oil/water emulsion was developed with each active (CcI, CcF+CcT and diclofenac), pH and texture having been evaluated. Release tests were further performed using static Franz diffusion cells and all collected samples were monitored by HPLC-PDA. In vivo topical anti-inflammatory activity evaluation was performed by the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The texture analysis revealed statistically significant differences for all tested parameters to CcF+CcT, supporting its topical application. Release experiments lead to the detection of the phenolic compounds from each sample in the receptor medium and the six major flavonoids were quantified, by HPLC-PDA: carlinoside, isoorientin, cynaroside, luteolin 7-O-neohesperidoside, kurilesin A and cassiaoccidentalin B. The CcF+CcT formulation prompted to the higher release rate for all these flavonoids. CcI4%, CcI1% and CcF+CcT exhibited an edema reduction of 43.18, 29.55 and 59.09%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings highlight that CcI, containing luteolin 7-O-neohesperidoside, cassiaoccidentalin B, carlinoside, cynaroside and tannins have a potential anti-inflammatory topical activity, suggesting their promising application in the treatment of skin inflammatory pathologies.
authors.affiliation: Center for Pharmaceutical Studies, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: costagff@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Center for Pharmaceutical Studies, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: João Pinto
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Center for Pharmaceutical Studies, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vitorino
authors.affiliation: CIEPQPF, Research Center for Chemical Processes Engineering and Forest Products, Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria Eugénia
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Pina
authors.affiliation: Center for Pharmaceutical Studies, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: João José
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.affiliation: Center for Pharmaceutical Studies, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Isabel Vitória
authors.initials: IV
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.affiliation: Center for Pharmaceutical Studies, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Batista
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031743:Cymbopogon / Q000737:chemistry*; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013634:Tannins / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D013634:Tannins
keywords: Anti-inflammatory; Cymbopogon citratus; Drug release; Lemongrass; Topical application; in vivo studies