Study of sesquiterpene lactones from Milleria quinqueflora on their anti-inflammatory activity using the transcription factor NF-kappa B as moleculartarget

In Central America aerial parts of the Asteraceae Milleria quinqueflora are used in traditional medicine as a remedy for skin infections. Reinvestigat ion of this plant afforded thirteen sesquiterpene lactones (Sls), three of them are new. All isolated Sis were studied for their anti-inflammatory act ivity using the transcription factor NF-kappa B as molecular target. NF-kap pa B is involved in the synthesis of inflammatory mediators, such as cytoki nes and chemokines. NF-kappa B DNA binding was inhibited at micromolar conc entrations by all Sis. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.