Cardiospermum halicacabum suppresses the production of TNF-alpha and nitric oxide by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Abstract

Cardiospermum halicacabum is an Asian and African herb known to
possess anti-inflammatory activities. The inhibitory effects of the ethanolic
fraction of Cardiospermum halicacabum leaves extract,(EFC) on the
production of pro-inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide(NO) and tumor
necrosis factor-alpha (TNF a) were studied in a lipopolysacchride (LPS)
activated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. TNF a production
was measured based on the selective sensitivity of TNF a for L929
tumorigenic murine cells. Similarly LPS stimulated macrophages cell line
RAW 264.7 was used for NO inhibition studies. EFC potently inhibited
TNF a (5-40μg/mL) with IC50=17 μg/mL, and NO (20-100 μg/mL) with
IC50 value being 90μg/mL.The viability of cells at all the concentration
was unaffected as determined by the MTS cytotoxicity
assay.C.halicacabum thus exhibits the anti-inflammatory properties,
justifying its use in rheumatoid arthritis treatment. (Afr. J. Biomed. Res. 9:
95 -99, May 2006)

Keywords: Cardiospermum halicacabum, nitric oxide, TNF a.