Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of di-C-glucoflavones from Lychnophora ericoides (Asteraceae).

The Brazilian medicinal plant Lychnophora ericoides is commercially available as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. The phytochemical investigation of the leaf polar extract yielded 6,8-di-C-beta-glucosylapigenin (1) and the new compound 6,8-di-C-beta-glucosylchrysin (2). 6,8-Di- C-beta-glucosylapigenin (1) showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. We did not observe any statistical difference between the two compounds (1 and 2) in inhibiting chemiluminescence in opsonized zymosan-stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes, suggesting that the anti-inflammatory property of 6,8-di- C-beta-glucosylapigenin (1) is not related to its antioxidant activity.