Title: Phytochemical Investigation and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Ludwigia adscendens Extracts from Vietnam
Authors: Vu Hai Nam , Nguyen Van Nhat Anh
Volume: 9
Issue: 12
Pages: 57-62
Publication Date: 2025/12/28
Abstract:
Ludwigia adscendens (Onagraceae), also known as water primrose, is a common aquatic herb in Asia. It has long been used to treat inflammation, but its active components and anti-inflammatory properties have not been fully studied. This study extracted, isolated, and analyzed the major chemical components of L. adscendens extract to see how they affect inflammation. The material was extracted with ethanol, then the extract was separated into two parts: ethyl acetate and water. The ethyl acetate portion was then purified by column chromatography, and the structures of the isolated compounds were determined by MS and NMR spectroscopy. As a result, six compounds were isolated and identified: three triterpenoids (corosolic acid, uvaol, ursolic aldehyde), one flavonoid ((-)-epicatechin), and two phenolic acids (gallic acid, ferulic acid). Ethanol extracts, along with their ethyl acetate fractions and aqueous solutions, and isolated compounds, were evaluated for in vitro anti-inflammatory activity by measuring the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. The ethyl acetate extract showed the strongest NO inhibition among the extracts, with an IC50 value of 32.09 µg/mL. Among the isolated compounds, ferulic acid, a phenolic acid, exhibited the most significant activity (IC50 = 20.66 µM), followed by gallic acid (IC50 = 23.52 µM), while the remaining isolates showed reduced activity. This study is a preliminary examination of the chemical composition of L. adscendens, thereby providing a scientific basis for the plant's anti-inflammatory potential. Therefore, the findings presented here open the door to further research focusing on optimizing extraction methods and evaluating in vivo anti-inflammatory activity.