Silica gel column chromatography fractionation of the dichloromethane extract (LCD) of Leucas cephalotes
(Roth.) Spreng. led to the isolation of five compounds namely β-sitosterol (1) + stigmasterol (2), lupeol (3),
oleanolic acid (4) and laballenic acid (5). Also, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of
sub-fraction (LCD-F1) of this extract showed the presence of eleven (6-16) compounds. In addition to this, 3-5
and LCD-F1 were evaluated for lipopolysachharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor
(TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β production in RAW 264.7 and J774A.1 cells. Results directed that 4 and 5 were
found to inhibit these mediators at half maximal inhibitory concentration of 17.12 to 57.20 μM while IC50 for
LCD-F1 was found to be 15.56 to 31.71 μg/mL. Furthermore, LCD at a dose of 50, 100 and 400 mg/Kg was
found to reduce significantly LPS induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β production in
female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. All the results findings evoked that the anti-inflammatory effects of Leucas
cephalotes is partially mediated through the suppression of pro-inflammatory mediators and hence can be utilized for the development of anti-inflammatory candidates
