Anti-inflammatory Flavonoids Isolated from Passiflora foetida

Area of Science:

• Phytochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Immunology

Background:

• Passiflora foetida is traditionally used for medicinal purposes.
• Inflammation is a complex biological response implicated in various diseases.
• Nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role in inflammatory processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of Passiflora foetida stem bark.
• To isolate and identify active chemical constituents responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects.

Main Methods:

• Soluble ethyl acetate fraction of Passiflora foetida stem bark was prepared.
• Ten flavonoids were isolated using chromatographic techniques.
• Structure elucidation was performed using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
• Inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production was assessed in RAW264.7 macrophage cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
• Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression was analyzed at the transcriptional level.

Main Results:

• Luteolin (2) and chrysoeriol (3) exhibited potent inhibition of NO production with IC50 values of 1.2 μM and 3.1 μM, respectively.
• These flavonoids suppressed LPS-induced iNOS expression.
• The study identified specific flavonoids with significant anti-inflammatory potential.

Conclusions:

• The stem bark of Passiflora foetida possesses significant anti-inflammatory properties.
• Flavonoids, particularly luteolin and chrysoeriol, are key contributors to the anti-inflammatory activity.
• Passiflora foetida flavonoids represent potential therapeutic agents for inflammatory conditions.