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DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-871258
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York
Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Extracts, Fractions and Lignans Isolated from Phyllanthus amarus
Publication History
Received: September 27, 2004
Accepted: April 11, 2005
Publication Date:
08 August 2005 (online)
Abstract
This study assessed the anti-inflammatory effect of the extracts and purified lignans obtained from Phyllanthus amarus. Given orally, the hexane extract (HE), the lignan-rich fraction (LRF), or the lignans phyltetralin, nirtetralin, niranthin, but not hypophyllanthin or phyllanthin, inhibited carrageenan (Cg)-induced paw oedema and neutrophil influx. The HE, the LRF or nirtetralin also inhibited the increase of IL1-β tissue levels induced by Cg. Furthermore, bradykinin (BK)-, platelet activating factor (PAF)- and endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced paw oedema were significantly inhibited by the HE or LRF while histamine- and substance P-induced paw oedema were unaffected. Finally, nirtetralin or phyltetralin caused inhibition of paw oedema induced by PAF or ET-1. These results show that the HE, the LRF and the lignans niranthin, phyltetralin and nirtetralin exhibited marked anti-inflammatory properties and suggest that these lignans seem to be the main active principles responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties reported for the HE of P. amarus.
Key words
Phyllanthus amarus - anti-inflammatory action - paw oedema - myeloperoxidase - carrageenan
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J. B. Calixto
Departamento de Farmacologia
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC)
Campus Universitário
Trindade, Bloco D - CCB
Cx. Postal: 476 - CEP
88049-900 Florianópolis
SC
Brazil
Phone: +55-48-331-9491
Phone: +55-48-331-9764
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Email: calixto@farmaco.ufsc.br