IN-VIVO AND IN-VITRO ANTIINFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF SAIKOSAPONINS

Buddlejasaponin I and saikosaponin 1 and 2, biologically active compou nds from Scrophularia scorodonia and Bupleurum rigidum respectively, e xert potent in vivo antiinflammatory effects on mouse ear edema induce d by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The effects of these compounds o n swelling and other inflammatory parameters are described. In screeni ng for in vitro effects of saikosaponins on cellular systems generatin g cyclooxygenase(COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) metabolites, we observed that most saikosaponins showed a significant effect. The action is mor e marked on LOX metabolite LTC4 Our data support the inhibition of ara chidonic acid metabolism as one of the biochemical mechanisms that mig ht be the rationale for the putative antiphlogistic activity of these saikosaponins.