Anti-inflammatory Activities of Methanolic Extracts from Melastoma Malabathricum Linn. and Melastoma Decemfidum Roxb. Leaves on Macrophage RAW264.7 Cell Line

Two plant species from the Melastomataceae family, Melastomamalabathricum Linn. and Melastomadecemfidum Roxb, which grow in abundance in tropical and subtropical regions have been well-documented to possess various medicinal values including anti-inflammatory properties. The present study was undertaken to examine the anti-inflammatory potential of M. Malabathricum and M. Decemfidum methanolic extracts (MME and MDE respectively) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). The cytotoxic assays of MME and MDE against RAW264.7 cells were conducted using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS). Production of nitric oxide (NO) from both Melastoma sp. was measured using Griess assay. MME and MDE exhibited high cell viability (>90%) at concentrations from 0.39 to 1.56μg/mL and 6.25 μg/mL respectively. Although the results obtained were not significantly different from control,NO production by LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells were observed to be lower for both extracts at concentration of1.5μg/mL when compared to untreated cells (control). The present study confirmed that MME and MDE have the potential to inhibit anti-inflammatory mediator against LSP-induced RAW264.7 cells.