Inhibition of nitric oxide production and proinflammatory cytokines by several medicinal plants

A number of medicinal plants have been used to treat various immunological diseases. Nitric oxide (NO) has an important regulatory role in the various types of inflammatory processes.

To investigate the NO modulatory activity of the extracts of several medicinal plants native to Iran including Dracocephalum kotschyi, Linum persicum, Dionysia termeana, Salvia mirzayanii, Ferulago angulata and Euphorbia cheiradenia.

The methanolic extracts of the plants were prepared and examined for their effects on the NO production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse macrophages. The level of TNF-α and IL-1β pro-inflammatory cytokines in the macrophage culture were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

All the extracts at concentration of 50 μg/ml demonstrated a significant decrease in NO production (p<0.001) after a 24-hour treatment. This inhibitory effect was also seen after 48 hours. Among the extracts, L. persicum was the strongest extract in reducing the NO production at 1 µg/ml after both 24 and 48-hours (nearly 100% inhibition, p<0.001). S. mirzayanii extract with 66.2 ± 8% inhibition at 50 µg/ml, showed the mildest effects in 48 hour culture. In cytokine release determination, the extract of L. persicum significantly inhibited both TNF-α and IL-1β cytokines production by stimulated macrophages (p<0.001). D. kotschyi, D. termeana and F. angulata decreased secretion of IL-1β from the cells.

These results indicate the presence of anti-inflammatory and macrophage inhibitory substances in these plants.