The effects of a triterpene fraction isolated from Crataegus monogyna Jacq. on different acute inflammation models in rats and mice. Leucocyte migration and phospholipase A2 inhibition.

The plant Crataegus monogyna has action against cardiac insufficiency, angina and arrhythmia. The anti-inflammatory properties of the cycloartenol fraction from this plant have been investigated. Chromatographic fractionation of the hexane extract of Crataegus monogyna Jacq. (Rosaceae) furnished a triterpene fraction containing cycloartenol as the main component (80.87%). The anti-inflammatory activity of the fraction was tested against hind-paw oedema induced by carrageenan in rats. At the highest oral dose (40 mg kg-1) inhibition was 61.5 and 52.5% at 3 and 5 h respectively. In the mouse carrageenan peritonitis test, the triterpene fraction given orally inhibited peritoneal leucocyte infiltration (41.9, 64.7 and 89.4% at 10, 20 and 40 mg kg-1, respectively). The fraction also showed weak inhibition of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) in-vitro. These results suggest that the fraction containing cycloartenol as the main component exerts an important anti-inflammatory action in-vivo by reducing the oedema.