Inhibition of pro-inflammatory secreted phospholipase A2 by extracts from Cynara cardunculus L

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of Cynara cardunculus L. (Asteraceae) during its growth using various solvents such as n-hexane, dichloromethane, acetone, and methanol for air-dried leaves and stems. The anti-inflammatory activities of crude extracts were evaluated by measuring the inhibition potency of mammalian non-pancreatic phospholipases A2 (hG-IIA). The methanol and acetone extracts of leaves harvested in February exhibit potent inhibition of hG-IIA (IC(50) = 50 and 70 microg/ml, respectively). However, the acetone extract of stems harvested in December inhibits the hG-IIA with a lower IC(50) around 130 microg/ml. Fractionation on silica gel and hydrophobic gel of the methanol extract of leaves harvested in February increases the inhibitory effect, and the IC(50) reached 10 microg/ml.