Anti-Inflammatory properties of a lipid fraction obtained from Sideritis javalambrensis.

A lipid fraction obtained by activity-guided fractionation from the hexane extract of Sideritis javalambrensis was evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity. This fraction significantly inhibited paw oedema induced by carrageenan as well as ear oedema induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) in mice after oral or topical administration, respectively. Quantitation of the specific marker myeloperoxidase (MPO) demonstrated that its topical anti-inflammatory activity was associated with reduction in cell infiltration into inflamed tissues. The lipid fraction significantly decreased leukocyte granular enzyme release (beta-glucuronidase), but failed to inhibit superoxide generation. Histamine release from mast cells was also suppressed in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, non-toxic concentrations of this fraction reduced nitric oxide (NO) generation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated J774 macrophages. Taken together, these results suggest that the lipid fraction exerts in vivo anti-inflammatory activity with the partial contribution of inhibitory actions on some inflammatory responses.