Planta Med 2012; 78 - PI121
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1320808

Lonicera japonica thunb. – anti-inflammatory activity of various extracts from herb, stems and leaves

S Ortmann 1, EM Pferschy-Wenzig 1, YM Zhao 2, J Miao 2, R Bauer 1
  • 1Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 4/I, 8010 Graz, Austria
  • 2Guangxi Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants, 189 Changgang Road, Nanning, China

Lonicera japonica Thunb. (Caprifoliaceae) is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. In order to examine the differences between stems and leaves of Lonicera japonica concerning constituents and anti-inflammatory activity, extracts were made with methanol, ethanol and methylene chloride (CH2Cl2) using Accelerated Solvent Extraction. The extracts were tested in different in-vitro assays: prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) inhibition assay with cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 enzymes, leukotriene B4 (LTB4) inhibition assay with human granulocytes[3], and a NO production inhibition assay with LPS/IFNγ stimulated mouse macrophages[4]. In addition, TLC and HPLC analyses were made. The chromatograms showed differences depending on the plant part and the solvent. Also the anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was quite variable. CH2Cl2 extracts of herb and leaves were the most active in the NO- inhibition assay, CH2Cl2 extracts were the most and ethanol extracts slightly less active in PGE2 and LTB4 inhibition assays. Therefore the CH2Cl2 extracts are considered for further investigation.