Anti-Anaphylactic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of a Bioactive Alkaloid from the Root Bark of Plumeria acutifolia Poir

In the present study, anti-anaphylactic, anti-inflammatory and membrane stabilizing properties of a lupine alkaloid plumerianine (compound 1), isolated from the root bark of Plumeria acutifolia Poir were investigated in animal models. The anti-anaphylactic activity of compound 1 (10, 25 and 50 mg/Kg) was studied by using models such as passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, passive paw anaphylaxis and also investigated for its anti-inflammatory activity against the carrageenin induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma in albino rats. A dose-dependent beneficial effect was observed on the leakage of Evans Blue dye in skin challenged with antigen and on paw anaphylaxis induced by antiserum. The compound 1 also exhibited a significant (p < 0.01) inhibition of rat paw edema and granuloma tissue formation, including significant protection of RBC against the hemolytic effect of hypotonic solution, an indication of membrane-stabilizing activity. Anti-anaphylactic activity of compound 1 may be possibly due to the inhibition of releasing various inflammatory mediators. Anti-inflammatory activity of compound 1 may be related to the inhibition of the early phase and late phase of inflammatory events.