Studies on Trypsin Inhibitor in Oriental Drug Plants and its Anti-Inflammatory Effect

Abstract

In order to find a trypsin inhibitor, 63 kinds of oriental drug plants were examined by the casein-Folin method. Strong inhibiting activities were found in Keihi, Botan, Oobaku, Kyoonin, Kanzoo, Takusya, Hisinomi (rind), Dobukuryoo, Maoo, Kuko (stem), Karokon, and Hakuhenzu (bean), and four of these were chosen for further studies. The inhibitor of Keihi was thought to be a catechol tannin from various color reactions. Glycyrrhetinic acid, a hydrolytic product of glycyrrhizin which is an ingredient of Kanzoo, showed an inhibiting action for trypsin and chymotrypsin, but not for plant and bacterial proteinases. The inhibitor of Hisinomi was identified as pyrogallol tannin by IR analysis. Partially purified inhibitor preparation of Hakuhenzu was stable in 0.1 N HCl, but was not stable in 0.1 N NaOH. The preparation showed an anti-inflammatory effect under subcutaneous administration, significantly inhibiting the rat hind paw edema induced by carrageenin. © 1973, Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry. All rights reserved.