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Planta Med 2001; 67(7): 654-658
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-17363
Original Paper
Natural Product Chemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Topical Anti-Inflammatory Activity of a New Germacrane Derivative from Achillea pannonica

S. Sosa1 , A. Tubaro1 , U. Kastner2 , S. Glasl2 , J. Jurenitsch2 , R. Della Loggia1,*
  • 1 DEMREP, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
  • 2 Institute of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Pharmaziezentrum, Vienna, Austria
Further Information

Publication History

October 17, 2000

January 7, 2001

Publication Date:
24 September 2001 (online)

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Abstract

The topical anti-inflammatory activity of a germacrane derivative [1,4-dihydroxy-germacra-5E-10(14)-diene; DHGD] isolated from Achillea pannonica Scheele (Asteraceae) was investigated employing the Croton oil-induced dermatitis in the mouse ear. Its effects on the oedematous response and on leukocytes infiltration are described. The germacrane derivative significantly inhibited ear oedema in a dose-dependent manner, with an ID50 of 0.40 μmol/cm2. DHGD (0.75 μmol/cm2) provoked a global inhibition of the oedematous response (61 %) higher than that induced by an equimolar dose of indomethacin (43 %) within 24 hours; the reduction induced by hydrocortisone (0.10 μmol/cm2) was 68 %. The effect of DHGD (61 % inhibition) was higher than that of the equimolar dose of indomethacin (51 % inhibition) also on granulocytes recruitment at the site of inflammation. Hydrocortisone (0.10 μmol/cm2) reduced the cellular infiltrate by 44 %.

Key words

Achillea pannonica - Asteraceae - sesquiterpene - germacrane - anti-inflammatory activity - Croton oil

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Prof. Roberto Della Loggia

DEMREP - University of Trieste

Via A. Valerio, 6

34127 Trieste

Italy

Email: roberto.della.loggia@econ.univ.trieste.it

Fax: ++39 040-676 3215