Evaluation of anti-inflammatory properties of Eurycoma longifolia Jack and Eurycoma harmandiana Pierre in vitro cultures and their constituents

Abstract

Eurycoma longifolia Jack (EL) has been used for treating erectile dysfunction, in which inflammation plays a major role. EL tissue cultures can overcome the shortage of material; however, the anti-inflammatory property of such cultures has not been investigated. Herein, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of root and callus cultures of EL and of a related species, Eurycoma harmandiana Pierre (EH), on lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Eurycomalactone and 9-methoxycanthin-6-one were the predominant compounds in EL calli. Eurycomanone content was 0.283 mg/g in EL root culture and 0.348 mg/g in intact roots. The extracts of the root and callus cultures significantly inhibited nitric oxide production, and inhibited the expression of iNOS, IL-6, and COX-2 genes. Overall, the tissue cultures of EH and EL produced eurycomanone, chaparinone, eurycomalactone, 9-hydroxycanthin-6-one, canthin-6-one, and 9-methoxycanthin-6-one, which exhibited anti-inflammatory effects. These tissue cultures may be a valuable and sustainable source of active ingredients effective against inflammatory conditions.

Keywords

• Canthin-6-one alkaloids
• Eurycoma longifolia Jack
• Eurycoma harmandiana Pierre
• Inflammation
• Quassinoids