Protective effects of certain lythraceae alkaloids and homologs in croton oil- and carrageenan-induced inflammation

Cryogenine\u27s immunosuppressive activity was first evaluated by Kosersky, et al. (21) who, impressed by the drug\u27s ability to inhibit both the irritant- and immune- mediated phases of adjuvant-induced polyarthritis (11), quantitatively confirmed this activity and clearly differentiated the action of cryogenine from that displayed by 6-mercaptopurine. A definitive study by Watson and Malone (22) confirmed cryogenine\u27s lack of immunosuppressive capacity at effective anti-inflammatory dose levels. The molecular complexity of the lythraceae alkaloids suggests that several active centers may account for their unique pharmacological profile. To assess these potentially active sites, two standard models of acute inflammation were selected for use in this present study -- the carrageenan-induced rat pedal edema assay and the croton oil-induced mouse ear edema assay. While the oral anti-inflammatory capacity of several of the lythraceae alkaloids has been well documented, their topical antiphlogistic capacity has not been evaluated. Moreover, the specific function or functions of the molecule which account for this anti-inflammatory capacity remain a mystery. The present study was undertaken: (i) to asses the topical anti-inflammatory potential of cryogenine, lythrine and two selected lythraceae intermediates and (ii) to investigate the possible molecular compounds which produce this established, yet enigmatic anti-inflammatory effect