Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory potential of Bergenia crassifolia (L.) extracts

Bergenia crassifolia (L.) Fritsch (Saxifragaceae) is commonly used in traditional medicine of various countries, most notably in Russia, Mongolia and China. Rhizomes, roots and leaves are utilised to treat a variety of diseases, like gastrointestinal disorders, fevers and gynaecological conditions [1] [2]. Bergenia extracts and infusions exhibit significant pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial, antihypertensive, adaptogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. The plant contains a multitude of bioactive constituents, such as arbutin, bergenin, tannins and flavonoids, which have been credited for some of the reported activities [1] [3].

One aim of the current study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of B. crassifolia leaf and root extracts by assessing inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX- 1 and COX- 2) enzyme activity.

Bergenia extracts were obtained by accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) with methanol and subsequent fractionation by liquid-liquid distribution with solvents of various polarity.

The effect of Bergenia extracts on COX enzyme activity was assessed by using COX-1 from ram seminal vesicles and human recombinant COX-2 in a microtiter scale and by subsequentially determining the level of PGE2 production via competitive ELISA. Root and leaf extracts showed high degree of COX-1 and -2 enzyme inhibition and similarly high levels of inhibition were observed in most fractions. Bergenin, arbutin and gallic acid were tested as well and displayed only moderate to no inhibitory potential on COX enzyme activity, compared to the positive controls (indomethacin for COX-1 and celecoxib for COX-2). Investigations regarding the phytochemical composition of the extracts and to identify the relevant active constituents are in progress.

Funding This project has been supported by OeAD within the funding program “Cooperation Development Research” and funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF) (RS 23/2022).

 

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Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

• References

• 1 Shikov AN, Pozharitskaya ON, Makarova MN, Makarov VG, Wagner H.. Bergenia crassifolia (L.) Fritsch--pharmacology and phytochemistry. Phytomedicine 2014; 21: 1534-1542
• 2 Koul B, Kumar A, Yadav D, Jin J-O.. Bergenia Genus: Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology. Molecules 2020; 25
• 3 Shikov AN, Pozharitskaya ON, Makarova MN, Damien Dorman HJ, Makarov VG, Hiltunen R, Galambosi B.. Adaptogenic effect of black and fermented leaves of Bergenia crassifolia L. in mice. Journal of Functional Foods 2010; 2: 71-76

Publication History

Article published online:
16 November 2023