Anti-inflammatory activity of two diterpenes of Hyptis suaveolens from El Salvador.

Separation and isolation of the two main compounds suaveolol and methyl suaveolate from leaves of chichinguaste (Hyptis suaveolens Poit., Lamiaceae) could be achieved by means of repeated column chromatography and repeated preparative thin layer chromatography. Their chemical structures were approved by MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and 2D-NMR experiments. The anti-inflammatory activity of the two compounds was tested for the first time as inhibition of croton oil-induced dermatitis of the mouse ear. Suaveolol and methyl suaveolate showed nearly the same dose-dependent topical anti-inflammatory activity, only two to three times lower than that of the reference drug indomethacin. The anti-inflammatory properties of these compounds could contribute to the antiphlogistic activity of extracts of Hyptis species and confirm the rational use of Hyptis suaveolens extracts in dermatological diseases.