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Planta Med 1995; 61(1): 9-12
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-957988
Paper

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Investigations on the Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Triterpenoids from Diospyros leucomelas*

María del Carmen Recio1 , Rosa María Giner1 , S. Máñez1 , J. Gueho2 , H. R. Julien2 , K. Hostettmann3 , J. L. Ríos1
  • 1Departament de Farmacologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de València, Avda. Vicent Andrés Estellés s/n, E-46100 Burjassot, València, Spain
  • 2Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute, Le Réduit, Mauritius
  • 3Institut de Pharmacognosie et Phytochimie, Ecole de Pharmacie, Université de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne-Dorigny, Switzerland
* Part of these results were presented at the International Symposium on the Phytochemistry of Plants used in Traditional Medicine organized by the Phytochemical Society of Europe, 29 September to 1 October 1993, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
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Publication History

1994

1994

Publication Date:
04 January 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Three triterpenes were isolated from Diospyros leucomelas and identified as betulin, betulinic acid, and ursolic acid. They showed anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageenan and serotonin paw edema tests and TPA and EPP ear edema tests. The blockade of their effects by progesterone, actinomycin D, and cycloheximide has served to determine the mechanism of action in relationship with that of glucocorticoids. Betulinic acid was the most affected and therefore a mode of action similar to these drugs may be postulated for it.

Key words

Diospyros leucomelas - Ebenaceae - triterpenes - in vivo anti-inflammatory activity - progesterone - actinomycin D - cycloheximide