Immunopharmacological studies on Picrorhiza kurroa Royle-ex-Benth. Part IV: Cellular mechanisms of anti-inflammatory action.

In this work abroagation of anti-inflammatory effect of Picrorhiza kurroa extract (PK) by beta-adrenergic blockade was confirmed, which suggests alteration in cell-surface biology by PK treatment. Blockade of protein synthesis by cycloheximide pretreatment reduced PK effect, suggesting protein mediation. Metabolic inhibitor dinitrophenol inhibited inflammatory cedema equally in control and PK treated animals, and masking of PK effect was concluded. Discriminations of anti-inflammatory mechanism(s) of PK and the latter two cytotoxic agents was inferred from these observations and from existing knowledge. Selective PK influence on membrane linked activation events in inflammatory effector cells could be the basis of anti-inflammatory and perhaps other biological activities reported with the herb.