The effect of ursolic acid from Plantago lanceolata leaves on leukocytes migration and chemokines level

Abstract

Initially considered as a normal body response to injury, inflammation is currently known as a major event contributing to the development of many human disorders. Many drugs and bioactive molecules have been discovered from medicinal plants and the number is still growing by time. Among those medicinal plants used in folk medicines, Plantago lanceolata is used to cure inflammatory-related diseases. In our previous study, we showed that the n-hexane insoluble fraction of P. lanceolata leaves (HIF) demonstrated a potent anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting leukocytes migration in mice. This study aimed to identify the active compound from HIF which responsible for the inhibition of leukocytes migration in mice, and to investigate the effect of the active compound on the level of chemokine (IL-8 and MCP-1) responsible for leukocytes migration. P. lanceolata leaves were initially macerated with dichloromethane. The dried extract was partitioned using n-hexane to obtain n-hexane soluble fraction (HSF) and n-hexane insoluble fraction (HIF). Both fractions were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity in thioglycollate-induced leukocyte migration. The active fraction (HIF) was subjected to a preparative thin-layer chromatography to isolate the major compound. The structure of the isolated compound was identified based on NMR, IR, and Mass spectra. The compound was identified as ursolic acid, based on its spectral data. Ursolic acid at dose of 30, 60, and 120mg/kg BW inhibited leukocyte migration and reduced the level of IL-8 and MCP-1).