Anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activity of triterpene extracts from plant species belonging to Lamiaceae family

Triterpenes are very important secondary metabolites with wide structural diversity and significant role in pharmacy and medicine. In the present research, a comparative study of pharamacological activities of the triterpene fractions obtained from several plant species belonging to Lamiaceae family, was carried out. In-vitro anti-proliferative activity was performed using a standard proliferation assay based on tetrazolium salts. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of triterpene fractions was determined by an assay of inhibition of albumin denaturation. In general, the triterpene fractions obtained from plant species belonging to Lamiaceae family showed a strong anti-proliferative activity and anti-inflammatory activity. The triterpene fraction of Rosmarini folium showed the strongest anti -proliferative activity (GI50 range from 4 to 37 & mu;g/ml) and the strongest anti-inflammatory activity in the range from 57.27% to 80.69%. This comparative study provides scientific evidence to support the traditional use of Lamiacae plant species for medical purposes as anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative medicines.