Tomato leaves methanol extract possesses anti-inflammatory activity via inhibition of lipopolysacharide (LPS)-induced prostaglandin (PGE2)

Recently, the leaves of tomato plant that contained several active compounds including alkaloid, steroid and flavanoid has been used for the treatment of variety of diseases and as anti-cancer, anti-oxidant and anti-gout. Although, a number of pharmacological properties have already been demonstrated, the anti-inflammatory effect of tomato leaves and its associated molecular mechanisms have not yet been fully investigated. In this study, in order to observe the anti-inflammatory action of Solanum lycopersicum extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages, its inhibitory and inflammation activity was investigated by observing the prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) production using PGE(2) enzyme immunometric assay kit. Results show that the tomato leaves extract reduced the activity of inflammatory mediators (PGE(2)) which plays a central role in inflammatory activity. At the highest concentration (100 mu g/ml) of tomato leaves extract tested, the PGE(2) production was reduced (37.41%) as compared to the untreated. The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression also reduced following increase in the extract concentration. Hence, this present study may support the potential use of leaves of Solanum lycopersicum extract in the treatment of inflammatory related disease through the inhibition of PGE(2) released.