Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Pseudopterosins by Laser Doppler Blood Flow Evaluation

摘要

Pseudopterosins extracted from Caribbean Sea Whip (Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae) were previously shown to inhibit phospholipase A2, an enzyme that functions in the arachidonic acid cascade of inflammation. With an objective to test its in vivo anti-inflammatory potential, we conducted a screening clinical bioassay using randomized analysis on sixteen panelists. An emulsion containing 0.02% of sea whip extract was applied to the volar forearm of subjects prior to or after an ethyl nicotinate challenge. Blood flow rate at the application site monitored using a laser doppler blood flowmeter served as a measure of inflammation induced by ethyl nicotinate. Upon post-challenge treatment, sea whip extract reduced blood flow by 35.04% against untreated control and also delayed the blood flow. More pronounced reduction in blood flow, as low as 59.50%, was noted upon pretreatment. This reduction was significant (p<0.0095). Pretreatment caused not only a delay in onset of inflammation but also a reduction in the peak time of blood flow. This study further substantiates the previously reported in vitro anti-inflammatory effect of sea whip extract, demonstrating its activity in deep skin layers by affecting blood flow. The preventive application prior to induction of inflammation was more effective when compared to post-treatment.