Cardiospermum halicacabum suppresses the production of TNF-alpha and nitric oxide by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Cardiospermum halicacabum is an Asian and African herb known topossess anti-inflammatory activities. The inhibitory effects of the ethanolicfraction of Cardiospermum halicacabum leaves extract,(EFC) on theproduction of pro-inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide(NO) and tumornecrosis factor-alpha (TNF a) were studied in a lipopolysacchride (LPS)activated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. TNF a productionwas measured based on the selective sensitivity of TNF a for L929tumorigenic murine cells. Similarly LPS stimulated macrophages cell lineRAW 264.7 was used for NO inhibition studies. EFC potently inhibitedTNF a (5-40μg/mL) with IC50=17 μg/mL, and NO (20-100 μg/mL) withIC50 value being 90μg/mL.The viability of cells at all the concentrationwas unaffected as determined by the MTS cytotoxicityassay.C.halicacabum thus exhibits the anti-inflammatory properties,justifying its use in rheumatoid arthritis treatment. (Afr. J. Biomed. Res. 9:95 -99, May 2006) Keywords: Cardiospermum halicacabum, nitric oxide, TNF a.