Effects of chelerythrine, a specific inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2, on acute inflammation in mice

Chelerythrine (CHE), a quaternary benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloid, which is an agent in traditional Chinese medicine exhibits a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects. In this study, we examined the anti-inflammatory activities and mechanism of CHE in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Further, in the analgesic test, CHE also showed pronounced inhibition of the acetic acid-induced writhing response. These results clearly suggested that CHE is a bioactive agent which has a significant anti-inflammatory action, which may be relevant to the inhibition of the release/production of exudates and prostaglandin E2 mediated through cyclooxygenase-2 regulation.

Graphical AbstractChelerythrine was a bioactive agent having significant anti-inflammatory action, which may have relevance to the inhibition of release of exudate/production and PGE2 mediated through COX-2 regulation.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide