Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Drypemolundein A, a sesquiterpene lactone from Drypetes molunduana

Abstract

Previous pharmacological screening in our laboratory showed analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of a crude stem bark extract of Drypetes molunduana. Phytochemical studies of this plant led to the isolation an structural elucidation of seven pentacylic triterpenes and one lignan, which were already known compounds, and a new furanosesquiterpene lactone, Drypemolundein A. The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of drypemolundein A. The compound was studied against carrageenan-induced acute edema. At doses of 10 and 20mg/kg, orally administered, it significantly reduced (57.57 and 66.66% inhibition at 1 h intervals, respectively) paw edema. At the same doses, this sesquiterpene lactone also exhibited significant analgesic action in force-induced pain in rat paw. These results indicate that drypemolundein A functions as an effective anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent.