Anti-inflammatory effect of new kopetdaghins A, C and E from Dorema kopetdaghense

Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesised by activated inflammatory macrophages and is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory conditions. Dorema kopetdaghense Pimenov (Apiaceae) has been used in traditional medicine from ancient times. In order to investigate anti-inflammatory potential, new kopetdaghins A, C and E were isolated and their non-toxic concentrations, as defined using MTT assay, were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity. J774A.1 macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (1 µg/ml) and kopetdaghins (10–100 μg/ml) for 24 h. The amount of NO production was assessed using Griess reagent. Western blot analysis was employed for evaluating the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Kopetdaghins at tested concentrations (10–100 μg/ml) did not reduce cell viability, while they significantly inhibited NO release. The expression of induced iNOS was decreased. Present experiment for the first time revealed the remarkable anti-inflammatory activity of new isolated kopetdaghins from D. kopetdaghense which might be potential candidates for further therapeutic investigations.