Anti-inflammatory activity of Kleinia odora

Introduction: Kleinia odora is a wild plant growing in Saudi Arabia and consumed by both animals and people. The plant is rich in triterpenes that are known for their anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, the major triterpenes from this plant were isolated, identified and assessed for their anti-inflammatory activity. Methods: Different chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques were used to isolate and identify the major triterpenes isolated from the aerial parts of K. odora. Anti-inflammatory activities of isolated compounds were assessed according to radicle scavenging activity and their impact on NE kappa B. The assessment of anti-inflammatory activity was performed by measuring supernatant concentrations of inflammatory cytokines released from human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMCs) previously fuelled by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). Results: Chemical investigation of K. odora lead to isolation of lupeol acetate (1), lupenone (2), friedelin (3), lupeol (4), epilupeol (5) and oleanolic acid (6).Compounds 1 and 2 showed the best activity as a free radical scavenger in DPPH assay. Moreover, they showed the highest potency as anti-inflammatory through decreasing NE kappa B p65 content, TNF-alpha IL-6, and IL-1 beta levels in PHA-stimulated (PBMCs). Conclusion: Optimum anti-inflammatory effects have been shown at 100 mu M but at lower concentrations only lupane nucleus with acetate or ketone at position 3 showed the optimum activity as in compounds 1 and 2, respectively. It could be concluded that maximum anti-inflammatory activity is obtained from lupine skeleton with acetate or ketone at position C-3.