Anti-inflammatory effect of dikaempferol rhamnopyranoside, a diflavonoid from Eugenia jambolana Lam. Leaves

Traditionally, the Indian Blackberry or locally called Jamun, Eugenia jambolana Lam. (Syn.: Syzygium cumini), is well known for its pharmacological potential, particularly anti-inflammatory. Here, we studied kaempferol-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside]-4'-O-4'- [kaempferol-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (EJ-01) isolated from the E. jambolana leaves for possible anti-inflammatory activity. EJ-01 (3, 10 and 30 mg/kg, p.o.) was assessed for anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan-induced paw edema model in mice by determining edema volume, myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitrite plus nitrate (NOx) and cytokine levels in paw edema tissue. EJ-01 significantly attenuated the edema, MPO levels, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) levels in the edema of paw at the 5th hour after carrageenan injection at all doses. EJ-01 (30 mg/kg) decreased the nitric oxide (NO) levels of the edema of paw at the 5th hour after carrageenan injection. The anti-inflammatory mechanisms of EJ-01 might be related to the decrease in the level of edema paw by reduced activities of NO and MPO. It probably exerts anti-inflammatory effects through the suppression of TNF-α and IL-1β. Therefore, we conclude that EJ-01 could be positively exploited for itspotential benefits against inflammatory diseases and support the pharmacological basis of E. jambolana as traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.