Abstract

Anti-inflammatory effects of maturin acetate (MA) isolated from the roots of Psacalium peltatum were investigated using in vitro and in vivo models. Inhibitory effects of increasing concentrations of MA on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) by lypopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated peritoneal macrophages were measured in vitro. MA at 75 µg/ml concentration inhibited TNF-α production by 80% and IL-1β by more than 85% (p < 0.01). MA inhibited inflammation by 75% when applied topically to 12-O-tetradecanoylpholbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced, dose-dependent acute ear edema. Myeloperoxidase enzyme levels were also reduced in the inflamed tissue. MA showed a significant inhibition level of 58.95% at the onset of carrageenan-induced inflammation (1 h) and the effect persisted up to 5 h. Thus, MA shows high cytokine production and marked anti-inflammatory effects.

Key words: Psacalium peltatum, maturin acetate, pro-inflammatory cytokines, 12-O-tetradecanoylpholbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced acute ear edema, myeloperoxidase enzyme, carrageenan-induced inflammation.