Inhibitory effects of the aerial parts of Epimedium koreanum on TPA-induced inflammation and tumour promotion in two-stage carcinogenesis in mouse skin

Abstract

Cancer prevention by supplements offers the most cost-effective long-term health strategy. Methanol extracts from the aerial parts of Epimedium koreanum were previously found to inhibit 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced inflammatory ear oedema and tumour promotion by TPA in the two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis model. Four prenyl flavonol glycosides (1-4) were isolated from the active fraction of this extract, and were identified. The isolated compounds showed inhibitory activity against TPA-induced ear inflammatory ear oedema. The 50% inhibitory dose (ID50) of icariin (1), epimedin A (2), epimedin B (3) and epimedin C (4) for TPA-induced inflammation ranged from 114 to 255 nmol/ear, suggesting greater potency than indomethacin (ID50: 908 nmol/ear), an antiinflammatory drug. Thus, the epimedium herb may be useful in cancer prevention. © 2016 Lifescience Global.