HPLC-MS analysis and anti-oedematogenic activity of Hypericum grandifolium Choisy (Hypericaceae)

A study has been carried out on the chemical composition and in vivo anti-oedematogenic activity of several extracts from Hypericum grandifolium Choisy (Hypericaceae) collected in Tenerife (Canary Islands). The HPLC-MS analysis (HPLC-ESI/MS and HPLC-FT/MS) revealed the presence of hyperforin, flavonoids and probably benzophenone derivatives, while naphthodianthrones were absent. Pharmacological results revealed that the methanol extracts and the aqueous, butanol and chloroform fractions obtained therefrom possess anti-oedematogenic activity against TPA-induced ear oedema and carrageenan-induced paw oedema, the chloroform fraction being the most active. Subfractions derived from the chloroform fraction also showed anti-oedematogenic activity. From these results, it can be suggested that different constituents, such as the flavonoids and the benzophenone derivatives, could be responsible, at least in part, for the anti-oedematogenic effects observed for this species.