Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Dracaena cinnabari Balf. f. resin

Abstract

Dracaena cinnabari Balf. f. (Family- Dracaenaceae) resin is a traditional medicine since ancient times in many cultures. Most of the pharmacological investigations of this resin have been addressed to its anti-microbial, anti-viral and antioxidant activities. However, anti-inflammatory activity of D. cinnabari resin is not evaluated so far. The present study indicates that methanol extract of D. cinnabari resin (MEDC) and one of its components, 4'-hydroxy-7,8-methylenedioxyhomoisoflavan (MHF) inhibited nitrite, TNF-α and IL-6 productions in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 with increase in their concentrations. Anti-inflammatory activities of these treatments were further confirmed by the reduction of rat hind paw edema. These results suggest that MEDC and MHF have potential anti-inflammatory activity at the selected doses.