Extracts of Baccharis conferta Kunth Reduce Carrageenan-Induced Paw Edema in Mice and Inhibit NF-κB in LPS-Stimulated RAW-Blue Macrophages.

This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects and chemical profiles of hexane (BcH), dichloromethane (BcD), and methanol (BcM) extracts from Baccharis conferta using LPS-stimulated RAW-Blue macrophages and a carrageenan-induced paw edema model in mice. GC/MS analysis of BcH identified heptacosane (30.89%), 3β-myristoylolean-12-en-16β-ol (7.88%), and spathulenol (5.8%) as major components. UPLC-MS analysis showed distinct profiles for BcD and BcM extracts; BcD was characterized by flavonoids such as cirsimaritin, acacetin, and pectolinaringenin, while BcM contained chlorogenic acids (5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 1-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, and 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid), and flavonoids (vicenin-2 and rutin). In vivo, oral administration of all extracts (100 mg/kg) reduced paw edema, with BcD and BcM significantly decreasing paw swelling from 3 h onward, with effects comparable to those of the reference drug meloxicam (P < 0.05), while BcH showed lower activity. In vitro, the effects of the extracts were assessed using SEAP reporter activity as an indicator of NF-κB/AP-1 signaling. BcD and BcM significantly reduced SEAP activity in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas BcH showed a lower inhibitory effect. Overall, extracts of B. conferta exert anti-inflammatory activity by modulating NF-κB/AP-1 signaling. These findings support the potential of B. conferta as a promising candidate for treating inflammatory diseases.