In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Arthritic Synoviocytes of A. brachypoda Root Extracts and Its Unusual Dimeric Flavonoids

is a plant commonly used for the treatment of kidney stones, arthritis and pain in traditional Brazilian medicine. Different in vitro and in vivo activities, ranging from antinociceptive to anti- , have been reported for the dichloromethane root extract of (DCMAB) and isolated compounds. This work aimed to assess the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity in arthritic synoviocytes of the DCMAB, the hydroethanolic extract (HEAB) and three dimeric flavonoids isolated from the DCMAB. These compounds, brachydin A ( ), B ( ) and C ( ), were isolated both by medium pressure liquid and high-speed counter current chromatography. Their quantification was performed by mass spectrometry on both DCMAB and HEAB. IL-1β activated human fibroblast-like synoviocytes were incubated with both extracts and isolated compounds to determine the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). DCMAB inhibited 30% of IL-6 release at 25 µg/mL, when compared with controls while HEAB was inactive. IC values determined for and were 3-fold higher than . The DCMAB activity seems to be linked to higher proportions of compounds and in this extract. These observations could thus explain the traditional use of roots in the treatment of osteoarthritis.