Planta Med 2011; 77 - PM141
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1282899

In vitro COX-1, COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibitory activity of plant family Ranunculaceae

J Malik 1, P Landa 2, Z Kutil 2, P Marsik 2, L Kokoska 3
  • 1Department of Zoology and Fisheries, The Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic
  • 2Laboratory of Plant Biotechnologies, Joint Laboratory of Institute of Experimental Botany AS CR, v.v.i. and Research Institute of Crop Production, v.v.i., Czech Republic
  • 3Department of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry, Institute of Tropics and Subtropics, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic

The arachidonic acid metabolism is the main target for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Two cyclooxygenases (constitutive COX-1 and inducible COX-2) and lipoxygenase (5-LOX) enzymes are responsible for transformation of arachidonic acid into the potent biologically active lipid mediators that are intimately involved in inflammation [1]. The newly developed COX-2 selective inhibitors seem to possess lower risk of unwanted side-effects than traditional NSAIDs. In our previous study, we identified potential COX-2 inhibiting plant material in Ranunculaceae family [2]. It is now being perceived, that dual blocking of both COXs and 5-LOX is promising approach to treatment of inflammatory diseases [3]. Thus we decided to evaluate the in vitro inhibitory activity against both COXs and 5-LOX of ethanolic extracts prepared mainly from roots of more than 30 plant species belonging to plant family Ranunculaceae using method previously described by Reininger and Bauer [4] and Adams et al. [5], respectively. The amounts of prostaglandin E2 (for COX) and leukotriene B4 (for 5-LOX) were determined by commercial EIA kits (Assay Designs).

The highest prevention against production of COXs and 5-LOX derived eicosanoids possessed extract form roots of Helleborus purpurascens Waldst. & Kit., where COX-1/COX-2/5-LOX scavenging rate 1,5/1/1,2 was recorded. The consequent bioactivity guided fractionation showed, that isomers of linoleic acid seem to be responsible for blocking of even COXs or 5-LOX. Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt. and Trollius altissimus Crantz had been determined as other promising plant materials, suggesting these species potential for further research for new anti-inflammatory substances.

Keywords: cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenase, anti-inflammatory, Ranunculaceae, in vitro

Acknowledgement: This research was supported by Czech Science Foundation (Project No. 525/08/1179).

References: 1. Claria J, Romano M (2005) Curr Pharmacol Des 11: 3431–3447.

2. Malik J et al. (2009) Planta Med 75: 1059–1059.

3. Charlier C, Michaux C (2003) Eur J Med Chem 38: 645–659.

4. Reininger EA, Bauer R (2006) Phytomedicine 13: 164–169.

5. Adams M et al. (2004) Planta Med 70: 904–908