Rotenoids from Boerhaavia diffusa as Potential Anti-inflammatory Agents

Five new (2, 3, 5, 7, and 9) and four known rotenoids (1, 4, 6, and 8) were isolated from a methanol extract of Boerhaavia diffusa roots. The structures of the new rotenoids were elucidated by spectroscopic data interpretation. The 70% ethanol extract, a rotenoid-rich fraction, and all isolated rotenoids were evaluated for their COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory activities. Among the rotenoids tested, compound 7 showed the most potent COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition, with IC10 values of 21.7 +/- 0.5 and 25.5 +/- 0.6 mu M, respectively. Boeravinone B (6) exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity (56.696 at 50 mg/kg) when evaluated in an in vivo carrageenan-induced rat paw model.