Studies on anti-complementary activity of extracts and isolated flavones from Ligustrum vulgare and Phillyrea latifolia leaves (Oleaceae)

Polar fractions and flavones isolated from methanolic extracts of the leaves of Ligustrum vulgare and Phillyrea latifolia (Oleaceae), whose popular use as an anti inflammatory is well-known in Mediterranean historical medicine and ethnobotany, showed significant in vitro complement inhibiting effect on the classical pathway of the complement system. Among the isolated flavonoidic structures, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, apigenin-7-O-rutinoside, luteolin-4'-O-glucoside, luteolin-7-O-glucoside and ligustroflavone presented remarkable activity. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.