Esculentoside A (EsA) is a
saponin isolated from the roots of Phytolacca esculenta. Previous experiments have shown that it has strong anti-inflammatory effects. Tumour
necrosis factor (TNF) is a very important inflammatory mediator. It is known that there are two types of TNF-
TNFalpha is from macrophages/monocytes and TNFbeta is from activated lymphocytes. In order to study the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of EsA, it was determined whether
TNFalpha production from human peripheral monocytes was altered by EsA under
lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated conditions. EsA was found to decrease
TNFalpha production in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations higher than 1 mumol/l EsA. Recent studies have shown that EsA has a curative effect on chocolate
cyst and other inflammatory diseases. Our previous studies have shown that EsA could reduce the release of
platelet activating factor (PAF) from rat macrophages, and inhibit
interleukin-1 and
interleukin-6 production from routine macrophages. The reducing effects of EsA on the release of
TNFalpha,
IL-1,
IL-6 and PAF may explain its anti-inflammatory effect.