C-Glycosylflavones from the Aerial Parts of Eleusine indica Inhibit LPS-Induced Mouse Lung Inflammation

Abstract

The infusion of aerial parts (EI) of Eleusine indica Gaertn (Poaceae) is used in Brazil against airway inflammatory processes like influenza and pneumonia. Pre-treatment with 400 mg/kg of crude extract inhibited 98 % of lung neutrophil recruitment in mice exposed to aerosols of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria, in a dose-dependent manner. At 400 μg/kg, schaftoside (6-C-β-glucopyranosyl-8-C-α-arabinopyranosylapigenin) and vitexin (8-C-β-glucopyranosylapigenin), isolated from EI, inhibited 62 % and 80 % of lung neutrophil influx, respectively. These results may justify the popular use of E. indica against airway inflammatory processes.

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