Topical anti-inflammatory potential of Physalin E from Physalis angulata on experimental dermatitis in mice

• Published in: Phytomedicine (Stuttgart) Vol. 17; no. 10; pp. 740 - 743
• Main Authors: Pinto, N.B., Morais, T.C., Carvalho, K.M.B., Silva, C.R., Andrade, G.M., Brito, G.A.C., Veras, M.L., Pessoa, O.D.L., Rao, V.S., Santos, F.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Elsevier GmbH 01-08-2010; Urban & Fischer Verlag
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Anti-inflammatory drugs; Anti-inflammatory effect; Atopic dermatitis; Dermatitis, Contact - drug therapy; Drug therapy; Health aspects; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Mice; Oxazolone; Oxazolone - toxicity; Physalin E; Physalis - chemistry; Physalis angulata; Secosteroids - therapeutic use; Solanaceae; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate - toxicity; TPA; Anti-inflammatory effect; Physalis angulata; Oxazolone; Physalin E; Solanaceae; TPA
• ISSN: 0944-7113; 1618-095X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2010.01.006

The anti-inflammatory effect of physalin E, a seco-steroid isolated from
Physalis angulata L. was evaluated on acute and chronic models of dermatitis induced by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and oxazolone, respectively, in mouse ear. The changes in ear edema/thickness, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IFN-γ), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and histological and immunohistochemical findings were analysed, as indicators of dermal inflammation. Similar to dexamethasone, topically applied Physalin E (0.125; 0.25 and 0.5
mg/ear) potently inhibited the TPA and oxazolone-induced dermatitis, leading to substantial reductions in ear edema/thickness, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and MPO activity. These effects were reversed by mifepristone, a steroid antagonist and confirmed by immunohistochemical and histopathological analysis. The data suggest that physalin E may be a potent and topically effective anti-inflammatory agent useful to treat the acute and chronic skin inflammatory conditions.