: A Rich Source of Secondary Metabolites with Antimicrobial, Disinfectant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities.

Benth is used in Sri Lankan folk medicine as a remedy for inflammatory conditions and microbial infections. Our previous investigations revealed potent 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitory activity in lipophilic extracts of this plant, supporting its anti-inflammatory potential. In-depth studies on the antimicrobial activity have not been conducted and the bioactive ingredients remained elusive.

The Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Potential of Selected Ethnomedicinal Plants from Sri Lanka.

Traditional folk medicine in Sri Lanka is mostly based on plants and plant-derived products, however, many of these medicinal plant species are scientifically unexplored. Here, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial potency of 28 different extracts prepared from seven popular medicinal plant species employed in Sri Lanka. The extracts were subjected to cell-based and cell-free assays of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), microsomal prostaglandin E synthase (mPGES)-1, and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity.

Lipophilic extracts of Leucas zeylanica, a multi-purpose medicinal plant in the tropics, inhibit key enzymes involved in inflammation and gout.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Leucas zeylanica (L.) W.T.