Cardiospermum halicacabum suppresses the production of TNF-alpha and nitric oxide by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Abstract

Cardiospermum halicacabum is an Asian and African herb known to possess anti-inflammatory activities. The inhibitory effects of the ethanolic fraction of Cardiospermum halicacabum leaves extract,(EFC) on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide(NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF a) were studied in a lipopolysacchride (LPS) activated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. TNF a production was measured based on the selective sensitivity of TNF a for L929 tumorigenic murine cells. Similarly LPS stimulated macrophages cell line RAW 264.7 was used for NO inhibition studies. EFC potently inhibited TNF a (5-40µg/mL) with IC 50 =17 µg/mL, and NO (20-100 µg/mL) with IC 50 value being 90µg/mL.The viability of cells at all the concentration was unaffected as determined by the MTS cytotoxicity assay.C.halicacabum thus exhibits the anti-inflammatory properties, justifying its use in rheumatoid arthritis treatment. (Afr. J. Biomed. Res. 9: 95-99, May 2006)