Triterpene Acids from Mesona procumbens Exert Anti-inflammatory Effects on LPS-Stimulated Murine Macrophages by Regulating the MAPK Signaling Pathway

• Published in: Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 2021-06, Vol.69 (22), p.6271-6280
• Main Authors: Huang, Hung-Tse, Liaw, Chia-Ching, Chiou, Chun-Tang, Kuo, Yao-Haur, Lee, Kung-Ta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bioactive Constituents, Metabolites, and Functions
• ISSN: 0021-8561; 1520-5118
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c01810

Five new triterpene acids, mesonaic acids A–C (1–3), 2α,3α,19α-trihydroxy-24-nor-4(23),12-oleanadien-28-oic acid (4), and 3α,19α,22α-trihydroxy-2-oxo-12-ursen-28-oic acid (5), and 10 known triterpene acid compounds (6–15) were isolated from a methanolic extract of Mesona procumbens. Triterpenes 1–3 possess unusual hexacyclic skeletons with a 13α,27-cyclopropane ring. Regarding their anti-inflammatory activity, compounds 1–3, 6, and 7 inhibited NO production with EC50 values lower than 15 μM, which were better than that of the positive control quercetin. Compounds 1–3, 6, and 7 markedly decreased levels of the inducible iNOS and COX-2 proteins in macrophages by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB through interference with the MAPK signaling pathway. Based on these data, compounds 1–3, 6, and 7 have great potential as NO inhibitors.