Cox 1 and cox 2 inhibitions by a decoction of andean species from San Juan province, Argentine

Abstract

Plants are a source of bioactive metabolites; the ability to act in multiple signalling pathways characteristic of inflammatory processes has been reported. The aim is to obtain alternative drugs with higher potency and lower undesirable effects. The species Azorella cryptantha, Oxalis erythrorhiza, Pachylaena atriplicifolia and Tetraglochin ameghinoi that grow in Andes scopes from San Juan, Argentine, are used to treat illness related to inflammatory processes in traditional medicine. The dry aerial parts were used to prepare decoctions (DC) (10% w/v), and were assayed to inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2). The effect was calculated the percent inhibition of COX isoforms measured by colorimetric assay (Kit No. 701050, Cayman Chemical), diclofenac sodium and etoricoxib were used as reference inhibitors (1-2 µg/ml). The DCs were evaluated at 18, 36 and 72 µg/ml. Regarding COX-2, DC from A. cryptantha and O. erythrorhiza were actives with inhibitory values of 82.10 and 86.97% respectively, to a concentration of the 72 µg/ml. On the other hand, all DCs were not selective to inhibit COX-2, the percentage of inhibition in COX-1 was lower. These results showed that A. cryptantha and O. erythrorhiza are consistent with the traditional use of these species in phytotherapic preparations with a potential anti-inflammatory effect, by blocking the COX-2 proinflammatory enzyme pathway.