Vitex trifolia as Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors in Anti-Inflammatory Drug Discovery

Abstract

Inflammation is involved in several stages of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, asthma, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, or cancer. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an important enzyme that catalyzes the production of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid and has an important role in various inflammatory-related pathologies. The selective suppression of COX-2 over COX-1 is thought to be a useful approach for treating inflammation. Vitex trifolia is traditionally used for various inflammatory ailments, thus giving scope for anti-inflammatory studies. Since the action of Ethanol extract of Vitex trifolia (EEVT) on COX-2 has not been previously described. In this study, we further investigated the effect of Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitory effects spectrophotometrically in ELISA readers and evaluated anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. The edema volume was measured using a plethysmometer. The results showed that the EEVt (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg BW) had significant anti-inflammatory activity and the EEVt demonstrated a COX-2 Inhibitory effect. The percentage of COX-2 inhibition was 8,04%, 20,74%, 21,92%, and the percentage of inhibition of paw edema was 39,56%, 45,60%, and 40,56%, respectively. These findings suggest that Vitex trifolia leaves extracts to possess promising and remarkable anti-inflammatory activity, which is directed against the enzymatic activity of COX-2.