Effect of siam weed extracts on anti-inflamatory and antioxidant activities

Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata (L.) King and Robinson), a medicinal herb used for stop-bleeding, wound healing and anti-inflammation, contains various bioactive components. Among them, scutellarein tetramethyl ether (STE) may act as a major bioactive component for blood coagulation and anti-inflammatory activity. However, molecular mechanism by which STE affects anti-inflammatory activity has not been elucidated in details. In this study, we examined expression of several inflammatory proteins and measured the anti-oxidant activity with macrophage cells. Cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitro oxide synthase are pro-inflammatory proteins. The level of protein and mRNA expression of these enzymes induced by lipopolysaccharide was evaluated in the presence or absence of Siam weed extracts (SWE) or STE. The treatment of SWE and STE dramatically suppressed these enzymes in dose dependent manner. We also found that SWE increased anti-oxidant activity, as assessed by GSH activity. Our results indicate that SWE and/or its bioactive component STE exhibit anti-inflammatory activity and further provide a potential uses in the treatment of inflammatory-related diseases.