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Planta Med 2016; 82(14): 1246-1251
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-104417
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Production in LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages and 15-LOX Activity by Anthraquinones from Pentas schimperi

Jean Paul Dzoyem
1   Phytomedicine Programme, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
2   Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
,
Arno R. N. Donfack
3   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
,
Pierre Tane
3   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
,
Lyndy J. McGaw
1   Phytomedicine Programme, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
,
Jacobus N. Eloff
1   Phytomedicine Programme, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 12 September 2015
revised 18 February 2016

accepted 29 February 2016

Publication Date:
19 April 2016 (online)

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Abstract

The anti-inflammatory activity of a coumarin and nine anthraquinone derivatives, 3-hydroxy-1-methoxy-2-methylanthraquinone (1), 2-hydroxymethyl anthraquinone (2), schimperiquinone B (3), cleomiscosin A (4), damnacanthal (5), 1,2-dihydroxy anthraquinone (6), damnacanthol (7), 3-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl anthraquinone (8), 1-hydroxy-2-methoxyanthraquinone (9), and 2-hydroxymethyl-3-O-prenylanthraquinone (10), isolated from the roots of Pentas schimperi were determined. The anti-15-lipoxygenase activity and nitric oxide production inhibition on lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages RAW 264.7 cells were determined as indicators of anti-inflammatory activity. The Griess assay was used to measure nitric oxide production and the ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange assay was used to determine the 15-lipoxygenase inhibitory activity. All the compounds significantly decreased nitrite + nitrate accumulation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner with 85.67 % to 119.75 % inhibition of nitrite + nitrate production at 20 µg/mL. Most of the compounds had a moderate inhibitory effect on 15-lipoxygenase activity. Compounds 8 and 10 were the most potent inhibitor both in nitrite + nitrate production with respective IC50 values of 1.56 µM and 6.80 µM. Compounds 2, 7, and 8 had good anti-15-lipoxygenase activity with respective IC50 values of 13.80 µM, 14.80 µM, and 15.80 µM compared to quercetin, which was used as a standard lipoxygenase inhibitor (IC50 of 16.80 µM). Our study revealed 3-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl anthraquinone and damnacanthol as potent inhibitors of both 15-lipoxygenase activity and nitric oxide production. Further studies are needed in order to envisage its possible future use as a therapeutic alternative against inflammatory diseases.

Key words

Pentas schimperi - Rubiaceae - anthraquinones - nitric oxide - lipoxygenase

Supporting Information

 

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