Related Experiment Videos
Phytochemical and antiinflammatory studies on Terminalia catappa
1Institute of Materia Medica, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210093, PR China.
Fitoterapia
|May 26, 2004
Summary
Terminalia catappa leaves exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. Ursolic acid and a related triterpenic acid isolated from the leaves are identified as the key compounds responsible for this activity.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Inflammation is a complex biological response implicated in various diseases.
- Herbal medicines are increasingly explored for therapeutic anti-inflammatory agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of Terminalia catappa leaves.
- To identify the specific compounds responsible for the observed anti-inflammatory effects.
Main Methods:
- Ethanolic extract of Terminalia catappa leaves was prepared.
- Bioassay-guided fractionation was employed to isolate active compounds.
- 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear edema model (acute and chronic) was used to assess anti-inflammatory activity.
Main Results:
- The chloroform fraction of the extract showed significant anti-inflammatory activity.
- Ursolic acid and 2alpha,3beta,23-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid were isolated and identified.
- Both isolated compounds demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory effects in the TPA-induced ear edema model.
Conclusions:
- Terminalia catappa leaves possess significant anti-inflammatory activity.
- Ursolic acid and 2alpha,3beta,23-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid are the primary bioactive triterpenic acids responsible for this activity.