Extraction, composition and the antioxidant and anticomplement activities of high molecular weight fractions from the leaves of Symphytum asperum and S. caucasicum

High molecular weight fractions (> 1000 kDal) from the leaves of Symphytum asperum and S. caucasicum had anticomplement activity, were able to inhibit luminol- and lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (CLlum and CLluc respectively) induced by human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) after stimulation with opsonized zymosan, and could decrease the CLluc signal induced by superoxide anion formation in a cell-free hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase system. The anticomplement and antioxidant activities of the high molecular weight fractions (> 1000 kDal) from the leaves of Symphytum asperum and S. caucasicum indicate that they might be used as anti-inflammatory and wound-healing agents.