In vitro Anti-Inflammation, Selective Cytotoxicity, and Inhibition of Induced Nitric Oxide from Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages Activities of Flavonoids from Hermannia geniculata Eckl and Zeyh Roots Extract

Aim: Evaluation of in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of flavonoids of Hermannia geniculata (FHG) roots extract, selective cytotoxicity of Vero and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells, as well as its capabilities to inhibit the production of induced nitric oxide (iNO) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophage was investigated. Materials and Methods: Soybean 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) Inhibition and the tetrazolium-based colorimetric (MTT) assay methods were used. Results: The extract exhibited 73% inhibition of 5-LOX enzyme better than indomethacin (standard) with their respective IC50 (10.15 +/- 0.02 and 12.03 +/- 0.02). It was observed that 65% of the Vero cells were viable at the highest concentration of 1 mg/mL of FHG extract and the LC 50 value is 1 mg/mL. Furthermore, the LC50 value of 0.02 mg/mL was recorded for HepG2 cells at the concentration of 0.75 mg/mL. Selectivity index (SI) for the FHG extract is 50 which is higher than the 31.2 SI value of the standard. Inhibition of iNO production was observed in LPS activated RAW 264.7 Macrophages with the highest concentration of 0.1 mg/mL decrease iNO production by 87%. Conclusion: This study indicated that FHG extract possesses anti-inflammatory and antiproliferation properties.