Anti-inflammatory activity of Baccharis notosergila against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and identification of active fractions and their chemical constituents

Introduction: Different species of the Baccharis genus (Asteraceae) are used extensively in traditional South American medicine to treat inflammatory conditions, and they are commonly used interchangeably. Among the species used is Baccharis notosergila; however, studies on its biological activities are limited. In this study, the effects of B. notosergila extract and fractions on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced model of inflammation were evaluated.Methods: The cytotoxicity of the B. notosergila extract was determined by MTT assay. Interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and chemokine MCP-1 gene expression were measured by qPCR. Moreover, the production of soluble CD14 (sCD14) and nitric oxide (NO) was measured using ELISA and Griess methods, respectively. A chemical fractioning was performed, and the anti-inflammatory and cytotoxicity effects of the fractions were tested. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of the active fractions was performed.Results: The extract produced a significant reduction in LPS-stimulated pro-inflammatory mediators IL-6, MCP-1, and sCD14 in THP-1 cells without demonstrating a cytotoxic effect. Additionally, the extract inhibited NO production in LPS-stimulated splenocytes. The extract was fractioned, and it was found that ethyl acetate and hexane fractions reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The compounds 5/7-methyl-apigenin, and caffeoylquinic acid derivatives were identified in the ethyl acetate fraction and bacchotricuneatin in the hexane fraction.Conclusion: This study establishes that the B. notosergila extract and the ethyl acetate and hexane fractions possess significant anti-inflammatory effects. These results support the ethnopharmacological use of B. notosergila as an anti-inflammatory agent and reveals its potential use as a source of anti-inflammatory compounds.