Anti-allergic effect of bryonolic acid from Luffa cylindrica cell suspension cultures.

Abstract

The anti-allergic activity of bryonolic acid (1) isolated from the cultured cells of Luffa cylindrica L. (Cucurbitaceae) was compared with that of glycyrrhetinic acid (2), the aglycone of glycyrrhizin from licorice. Compound 1, when administered to rats intraperitoneally at a dose of 600 mg/kg, inhibited homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis more strongly than 2 at the same dose. Compound 1 also significantly inhibited delayed hypersensitivity in mice which could not be inhibited by 2. In contrast to 2, 1 showed not only little toxicity but no visible side effects on mice, without impairing the activity of the hepatic enzyme (4,5 beta-dihydrocortisone:NADP+ delta 4-oxidoreductase) involved in steroid catabolism.

• Authors: S Tanaka, C Uno, M Akimoto, M Tabata, C Honda, W Kamisako
• Journal: Planta medica (Planta Med) Vol. 57 Issue 6 Pg. 527-30 (Dec 1991) ISSN: 0032-0943 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 1818343 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Triterpenes
• bryonolic acid
• Glycyrrhetinic Acid

Topics

• Animals
• Glycyrrhetinic Acid (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Hypersensitivity, Delayed (drug therapy)
• Male
• Molecular Structure
• Plants (chemistry)
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred Strains
• Triterpenes (chemistry, isolation & purification, pharmacology)