Anti-hyaluronidase and anti-elastase activity screening of tannin-rich plant materials used in traditional Polish medicine for external treatment of diseases with inflammatory background

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine extracts from twelve tannin-rich plant materials used in traditional Polish medicine for external treatment of skin and mucosa diseases considering their ability to inhibit hyaluronidase activity and elastase release from stimulated neutrophils in vitro. In vitro anti-hyaluronidase and anti-elastase assays together with phytochemical qualitative and quantitative screening were performed. The strongest inhibition of hyaluronidase was observed for extract from Lythri herba, with IC(50) value 8.1 ± 0.8 μg/mL. The most active extract towards elastase release was from Hippocastani cortex which at concentration 10 μg/mL showed 62.0 ± 6.9% inhibition. Anti-hyaluronidase and anti-elastase activity of chosen tannin-rich plant materials can support their traditional use in folk medicine. Strong inhibition of both enzymes by extract from Lythri herba makes this pharmacopeial plant material an interesting topic for further biological and phytochemical examination.