Anti-phospholipase A(2) and anti-inflammatory activity of Santolina chamaecyparissus

The activity of the Santolina chamaecyparissus methanol extract was tested against the phospholipase Az (PLA(2))-induced mouse paw edema and in vitro inhibition of PLA2 activity. After fractionation, only the dichloromethane extract was active against the PLA2 in vitro test. In addition, it reduced the edema induced by arachidonic acid, and by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13- acetate in a multidose test. After chromatography on silicagel and gel filt ration on Sephadex, and using an in vitro anti-PLA(2) assay-guided process, we have isolated and identified from the dichloromethane extract the flavo ne nepetin and four sesquiterpenes. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.