Isolation of Two Triterpenoids and a Biflavanone with Anti-Inflammatory Activity from Schinus molle Fruits

Abstract

Three compounds with anti-inflammatory activity were isolated from Schinus molle fruits. Two of the compounds were identified as 3-epi-isomasticadienolalic acid (1), isomasticadienonalic acid (2) and chamaejasmin (3). Triterpenes 1 and 2, and biflavanone 3 were tested on two models of mice paw inflammation: one of acute inflammation, induced by subcutaneous injection of either phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) or carrageenan in the paws of mice, and one of chronic inflammation in the form of eczema, provoked by repeated administration of TPA to the ears of mice. On the PLA₂-induced mouse paw oedema, only 2 was active (30 mg/kg, 66 % inhibition at 60 min), whereas all compounds reduced the chronic model of inflammation (48 to 26 % of swelling reduction), but only triterpenes reduced the leukocyte infiltration, measured as tissue peroxidase activity. In the case of the carrageenan-induced mouse paw oedema, only 3 led to a reduction of the swelling 3 h after challenge (50 mg/kg, 46 % oedema inhibition). In addition, 3 inhibited the LTB₄ production in rat peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes with an IC₅₀ value of 29.8 μM, while triterpenes showed toxicity against cells at 100 μM.

Key words

Schinus molle - Anacardiaceae - triterpenoids - biflavanone - chamaejasmin - anti-inflammatory activity - leukotriene B₄ - phospholipase A₂

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