Planta Med 2005; 71(4): 362-363
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-864104
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

C-Glycosylflavones from the Aerial Parts of Eleusine indica Inhibit LPS-Induced Mouse Lung Inflammation

Giany O. De Melo1 , Michelle F. Muzitano1 , Alexandre Legora-Machado2 , Thais A. Almeida2 , Daniela B. De Oliveira1 , Carlos R. Kaiser3 , Vera Lucia G. Koatz2 , Sônia S. Costa1
  • 1Núcleo de Pesquisas de Produtos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • 2Departamento de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • 3Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Further Information

Publication History

Received: July 23, 2004

Accepted: December 12, 2004

Publication Date:
27 April 2005 (online)

Abstract

The infusion of aerial parts (EI) of Eleusine indica Gaertn (Poaceae) is used in Brazil against airway inflammatory processes like influenza and pneumonia. Pre-treatment with 400 mg/kg of crude extract inhibited 98 % of lung neutrophil recruitment in mice exposed to aerosols of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria, in a dose-dependent manner. At 400 μg/kg, schaftoside (6-C-β-glucopyranosyl-8-C-α-arabinopyranosylapigenin) and vitexin (8-C-β-glucopyranosylapigenin), isolated from EI, inhibited 62 % and 80 % of lung neutrophil influx, respectively. These results may justify the popular use of E. indica against airway inflammatory processes.

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Dr. Sônia S. Costa

Núcleo de Pesquisas de Produtos Naturais

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

21 941 590 Rio de Janeiro

RJ

Brazil

Email: sscosta@nppn.ufrj.br