Phytochemical and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Oxytropis aciphylla

• Published in: Pharmacognosy Magazine Vol. 20; no. 3; pp. 945 - 955
• Main Authors: Qian, Hao, Liu, Jiaqiong, Meng, Xianqi, Wang, Xiaoqin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Delhi, India SAGE Publications 01.09.2024
• Subjects: in vitro experiments; anti-inflammatory; natural products; Oxytropis aciphylla; network pharmacology; phytochemical
• ISSN: 0973-1296; 0976-4062
• DOI: 10.1177/09731296241240236

Background The objective of this research is to explore the phytochemical constituents and the potential anti-inflammatory properties of the herb Oxytropis aciphylla. Materials and Methods From the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions derived from the 70% ethanol extract of O. aciphylla, a total of 17 distinct chemical entities were extracted and subsequently identified. Utilizing network pharmacology, the study predicted the possible anti-inflammatory targets and mechanisms of action of O. aciphylla. The study assessed the anti-inflammatory impact of O. aciphylla extract on RAW 264.7 (a murine macrophage cell line) cells induced with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by quantifying the concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Results The isolated compounds included 12 flavonoids, two triterpenoids, one fatty acid, and two sterols. These specifically comprise apigenin, luteolin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, naringenin, eriodictyol, dihydrokaempferol, butein, 7,4’-homoisoflavanone, apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-β-D-gentiobioside, rutin, azukisapogenol, 3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1↓2)-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl] azukisapogenol methyl ester, tetracosanoic acid, daucosterol, and β-sitosterol. Network pharmacology analysis suggested that O. aciphylla may exert its anti-inflammatory effects through multiple components, targets, and pathways, such as kaempferol, apigenin, luteolin, AKT1, SRC, TNF, PTGS2, EGFR, MAPK, PI3K-Akt, VEGF, HIF-1, and TNF signaling pathways. The extract of O. aciphylla was found to markedly reduce the levels of NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 cells that were stimulated with LPS, demonstrating a correlation with the dosage administered. Conclusion The investigation uncovered, for the first time, the phytochemical constituents and the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of O. aciphylla. These findings lay the groundwork for the scientific development and application of this botanical species as a natural remedy for inflammation.