Biologically active components of a Papua New Guinea analgesic and anti-inflammatory lichen preparation

Fitoterapia. 2009 Jul;80(5):270-3. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2009.03.003. Epub 2009 Mar 14.

Abstract

A traditional preparation of Parmotrema saccatilobum (Taylor) Hale (Family: Parmeliaceae) is being considered for inclusion into the PNG national drug formulary by the Ministry of Health Taskforce on Traditional Medicines. The lichen preparation is traditionally used in the Milne Bay province of Papua New Guinea for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. A hexane extract of P. saccatilobum yielded the principle components atranorin and chloroatranorin. Atranorin and chloroatranorin were tested in a COX-1 and -2 enzyme inhibition assay, which showed that atranorin inhibited COX-1 in a dose dependent manner and suggests partial inhibition by atranorin and chloroatranorin of COX-2 and COX-1, respectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / isolation & purification
  • Analgesics / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / isolation & purification*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Cyclooxygenase 1 / metabolism*
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism*
  • Fungi / chemistry*
  • Hydroxybenzoates / isolation & purification*
  • Hydroxybenzoates / pharmacology
  • Lichens / chemistry*
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Hydroxybenzoates
  • Plant Extracts
  • chloroatranorin
  • atranorin
  • Cyclooxygenase 1
  • Cyclooxygenase 2