Ferruginol from Prumnupitys andina: absolute configuration and anti-inflammatory activity

Ferruginol, a type-abietane diterpenoid, previously obtained from Prumnupitys andina has displayed to possess an interesting range of biological activities such as in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, cardioprotective, antifungal, antiplasmodial, antimalarial, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-tumoral and gastroprotective.¹

Aim of this research is corroborate the absolute configuration of ferruginol by quantum calculation of specific rotation values. Anti-inflammatory dermal activity of ferruginol, is reported by first time, using in vivo models.

Ferruginol was subjected to topical assays for the inhibition of murine ear inflammation elicited by arachidonic acid (AA) or phorbol ester (TPA).²

The topical anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in vivo using groups of 8 animals were treated with ferruginol (equimolar doses with regard to the reference drug Indomethacin), dissolved in acetone and applied topically on the inner (10 mL) and outer (10 mL) surfaces of the right ear of the animals of each group.

We report the absolute configuration of ferruginol by quantum calculation of specific rotation values and its topical anti-inflammatory activity. Ferruginol was subjected to topical assays for the inhibition of inflammation elicited by arachidonic acid (AA) or phorbol ester (TPA). Ferruginol showed topical anti-inflammatory activity in both AA and TPA models (Table 1). The anti-inflammatory effects were dose-dependent. Its maximal effect observed against TPA (20,5%) and AA (62,5%).

References:

[1] Areche C, San-Martin A, Rovirosa J, Muñoz MA, Hernández-Barragán A, Bucio MA, Joseph-Nathan, P. J. Nat. Prod. 2010; 73: 79.

[2] Rodríguez-Díaz M, Delporte C, Cassels BK, González P, Silva X, León F, and Wessjohann L. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2011; 63: 718 – 724.