Afrormosin, an Isoflavonoid from Amburana cearensis A. C. Smith, Modulates the Inflammatory Response of Stimulated Human Neutrophils

Isoflavones are phytoestrogens known by their anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Presently, there is no information on whether afrormosin, an isoflavone from Amburana cearensis A.C. Smith (Fabaceae), has some effect on the inflammatory response from stimulated human neutrophils. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant potentials of afrormosin on human neutrophils. Neutrophils (2.5 × 106 cells/mL) were incubated with afrormosin (3.35–335.2 μM) prepared from a product isolated from Amburana cearensis A.C. Smith with a 78.5% degree of purity and stimulated by the addition of cytochalasin B and N‐formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (fMLP) or phorbol 12‐myristate‐13‐acetate (PMA). Afrormosin inhibited the neutrophil degranulation induced by fMLP (10.47–335.2 μM) or PMA (0.33–167.6 μM), myeloperoxidase activity (3.3–335.2 μM), TNF‐α secretion (16.7–335.2 μM) and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation (16.7–335.2 μM). On the other hand, afrormosin did not show any effect either on elastase or as a free radical scavenger. These data suggest that afrormosin modulates intermediary steps of the neutrophil ROS generation process. In addition, the modulatory effect of afrormosin on human neutrophil degranulation seems to be directed towards PMA‐induced activation, indicating a potent inhibition of the protein kinase C activity. This study provided evidence, for the first time, to support the anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activities of afrormosin, creating novel insights into the pharmacological actions of this natural isoflavone.