Anti-inflammatory activity of two cucurbitacins isolated from Cayaponia tayuya roots.

Fractionation of an anti-inflammatory extract from Cayaponia tayuya roots yielded two active compounds, identified as 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin B (1) and cucurbitacin R (2). Both were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity on several experimental models of pain and inflammation. In addition, their cytotoxicity and effects on leukotriene B4 (LTB4) formation were evaluated in rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes.