Contribution of methylated exudate flavonoids to the anti-inflammatory activity of Grindelia robusta

The flavonoid pattern of an acetonic extract of Grindelia robusta Nutt. was investigated in detail. The flavonoids were enriched by CC. In addition to twelve known methylated exudate flavonols four compounds were identified for the first time in G. robusta. Several substances of the flavonoid complex, among them the main compounds quercetin-3-methylether and 6-OH-kaempferol-3,6-dimethylether, were tested for their activity to inhibit neutrophil elastase. Quercetin-3-methylether was shown to be most active with an IC(50) of 19 microM, thus obviously contributing to the anti-inflammatory activity of the drug.