Anti-inflammatory activity of the sesquiterpene lactone diacethylpiptocarphol in dextransulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sesquiterpene lactones are organic compounds derived mainly from plants that exhibit anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities being one of the key mechanism of action of NF-kB pathway and synthesis of cytokines such as IL-1 and TNF- α.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The overall objective of the present study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory action of a sesquiterpene lactone diacethylpiptocarphol (DPC) from Vernonia scorpioides (Lam.) Pers. and parthenolide (PTH) in Balb-c mice with DSS-induced colitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The anti-inflammatory effects of Intraperitonial administration of DPC (5 mg/kg/day) were evaluated in Balb/c mice with DSS-induced colitis, and further the body weight measurement, TNF-α and TGF-β level was determined.

RESULTS

After intraperitoneal treatment for one week, DSS-induced colitis was significantly reduced in mice treated with either of both sesquiterpenes lactones, as witnessed by reduced cellular infiltration, tissue damage, TNF-α production, and enhanced production of TGF-β.

CONCLUSIONS

Sesquiterpene lactone DPC, isolated from Vernonia scorpioides showed anti-inflammatory activity, in this experimental model of colitis the sesquiterpene lactones DPC and PTH exhibit equal anti-inflammatory activity.