Planta Med 2007; 73 - P_030
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-986812

Anti-inflammatory activity of four Staphylea L. species

Ľ Laciková 1, EM Wenzig 2, R Bauer 2, I Mažterová 1, D Granèai 1
  • 1Department of Pharmacognosy and Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia
  • 2Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 4, 8010 Graz, Austria

Staphylea preparations are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a cough remedy, and they have been used by native Americans for the treatment of rheumatic conditions. Based on the significant cytotoxic, antibacterial and antioxidant activity of some Staphylea species [1, 2, 3] the anti-inflammatory activity of petrol ether extracts from leaves of Staphylea colchica Stev., S. elegans Zab., S. holocarpa Hemsl. and S. pinnata L. has been determined. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested using in vitro assays for inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) [4] and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) [5]. From the extracts possessing >50% inhibitory activity at a screening concentration of 50µg/ml, IC50 values were determined. All extracts inhibited the activities of COX-1 and COX-2 in a similar extent, with S. holocarpa performing best (IC50 10.1 and 5.2µg/ml against COX-1 and COX-2, respectively). 5-LOX inhibition of the extracts was less pronounced. The highest inhibitory activity was shown by the S. colchica extract (IC50 26,7µg/ml).

Acknowledgements: University of Graz, Grant Agency VEGA SR No. 1/4289/07 and Cátedra Dubcek grant 2006 sponsored by Complutense University of Madrid.

References: [1] Jantová, S. et al. (2001) Phytother. Res. 15: 22–25. [2] Jantová, S. et al. (2000) Phytother. Res. 14: 601–603. [3] Laciková, Ľ. et al. (2007) Molecules 12: 98–102. [4] Fiebich, et al. (2005) Planta Med. 71: 12–19. [5] Adams, M. et al. (2004) Planta Med. 2004 70: 904–908.