Anti-allergic Inflammatory Triterpenoids Isolated from the Spikes of Prunella vulgaris

Nat Prod Commun. 2016 Jan;11(1):31-2.

Abstract

Twelve known triterpenoids (1-12) and two steroids (13 and 14) have been isolated from the spike of the plant Prunella vulgaris. Among them, 2α,3α,23-trihydroxyursa-12,20(30)-dien-28-oic acid (10) was isolated for the first time from this plant. All isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effect on the gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and release of histamine in human mast cells. β-Amyrin (5), 10, and euscaphic acid (12) showed suppression of histamine release with percentage inhibitions of 46.7, 57.9, and 54.2%, respectively. In addition, 5 and 10 showed strong inhibition of TNF-α and IL-6 in the test for pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our results suggest that compounds 5 and 10 largely contribute to the anti-allergic inflammatory effect of P. vulgaris.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Allergic Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Allergic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects*
  • Histamine / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mast Cells / drug effects
  • Mast Cells / metabolism
  • Phytotherapy
  • Prunella / chemistry*
  • Triterpenes / chemistry
  • Triterpenes / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Anti-Allergic Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Triterpenes
  • Histamine