| abstract |
This invention relates to a novel herbal composition comprising an extract of flowering and fruiting heads of the plant, Sphaeranthus indicus. The said extract of Sphaeranthus indicus contains a compound, 3a-hydroxy-5a,9-dimethyl-3- methylene-3a,4,5,5a,6,7,8,9b-octahydro-3H-naphtho[1 ,2-b]furan-2-one (7-Hydroxy-4,1 1 (13)-eudesmadien-12,6-olide) (compound 1 ), as a bioactive marker. The invention also relates to a composition comprising 3a-hydroxy-5a,9-dimethyl- 3-methylene-3a,4,5,5a,6,7,8,9b-octahydro-3H-naphtho[1 ,2-b]furan-2-one (compound 1 ) as an active ingredient. The invention also relates to methods of manufacture of the said compositions. The invention also relates to methods of administration of the said compositions to a subject in need of treatment for an inflammatory disorder. The invention also relates to tumor necrosis factor-.alpha. (TNF- .alpha.) and interleukin (IL-1 , IL-6, IL-8) inhibitory activity of the said compositions. The invention relates to inhibition of the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1 ), vascular-cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1 ), and E-Selectin by the said compositions. The said compositions may optionally contain at least one anti-inflammatory agent or can be used in combination with at least one anti-inflammatory agent. |