Anti-inflammatory effect of Catunaregam tomentosa fruit extract

Abstract

Catunaregam tomentosa is a medicinal plant that belongs to the family Rubiaceae. In traditional medicine formula, it is used as an anti-inflammatory of scalp skin, anti-fungal, anti-hair loss and hair growth promoting agent. The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of C. tomentosa extract. The fruit of this plant was extracted with 50% ethanol. Then, the crude extract was tested for cytotoxicity by using MTT assay and studied anti-inflammatory effect by measuring the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in LPS-stimulated macrophages (RAW264.7 Cells) by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results of this study showed that there was no toxicity on the cells after 24 hr incubation of the extract at 0-1.25 mg/ml concentrations. Moreover, the extract at 50-200 μg/ml concentrations significant and dose-dependent manner inhibited the expressions of COX-2 and TNF-α, and comparable to a standard drug, indomethacin. The results of this study are the first scientific evidence on the molecular effects of C. tomentosa as a potential anti-inflammatory agent, which support the use of this plant in traditional remedies.