Anti-inflammatory effects of Byrsonima crassifolia

The anti-inflammatory effects of many plants and plant-derived compounds have been studied and documented. In a screening of Venezuelan plant extracts for anti-inflammatory activity, the crude bark extract and fractions of Byrsonima crassifolia (Malpighiaceae) were tested in various assays, including their effect on the production of the inflammatory mediators, tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and nitric oxide (NO) by LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages, serum levels of the same mediators in Balb/c mice challenged with LPS (lipopolysaccharide) and cellular levels of NF-κB, an important nuclear factor involved in the inflammatory response. Of the 23 fractions obtained from solvent extraction and reverse phase HPLC, fraction 17 showed the greatest overall effect on NO production in vitro (53% at 30µg/ml) and in vivo, but did not affect TNF-α, IL-6 or NF-κB. Mass and NMR spectroscopy analysis showed fraction 17 to be (+)-catechin, a flavonol with antioxidant properties, but which has also been reported to show anti-inflammatory activity.