Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Bauhinia ungulata L. (Fabaceae) on LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Cells

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant, immunomodulatory and
\nantimicrobial activities of Bauhinia ungulata L. Method: A flavonoid-rich fraction was obtained
\nfrom the Bauhinia ungulata L stem, called the ethyl acetate fraction of Bauhinia ungulata
\n(FABU). The total antioxidant capacity of the FABU was determined through the phosphomolibdenium
\nreduction method. For the evaluation of its antioxidant activity on a cell culture
\nmodel, LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were treated with different concentrations of FABU
\nand the reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and
\nthiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) production levels were measured. For the
\nanalysis of its immunomodulatory capacity, TNF-α, TGF-β and IL-10 levels were determined in
\nthe culture supernatant. In order to determinate the antimicrobial activity of FABU, antifungal
\nand antibacterial susceptibility testing was performed against Candida albicans, methicillinsensitive
\nStaphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas
\naeruginosa strains. Result: The FABU demonstrated neither significant antimicrobial activity
\nnor immunodulatory capacity; on the other hand, its potential antioxidant activity was
\ndemonstrated by the phosphomolibdenium reduction assay. Also, FABU treatment inhibited
\nthe ROS, NO, H2O2 and TBARS levels in the supernatant of LPS-stimulated cells. Conclusion:
\nA significant reduction in the amount of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) was
\nobserved, in addition to lipid peroxidation inhibition. Our data suggest that the FABU is a natural
\nantioxidant complex that may interfere in the cascade of cell damage caused by free radicals
\nand a promising potential drug in chronic disease models in which immunopathogenicity
\ninvolves high levels of RONS.