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Tissue distributions and association of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) with inflammatory have led us to search for COX-2 selective inhibitors from natural products. Conceptually, COX- 2 selective inhibitors should be expected to retain anti-inflammatory efficacy by inhibition of PGs production while reducing or eliminating the gastric, renal and hemostatic side effects commonly associated with NSAIDs use. Thus, a logical approach to the treatment of inflammatory diseases should involve the inhibitors of COX-2. To develop new COX-2 inhibitors from natural products, two hundred crude drugs were screened by inhibiting PGD2 generation in bone marrow derived mast cells (BMMC). Among them, 6 methanol extracts of crude drugs such as, Bletillae rhizoma, Aconiti kgreani rhizoma, Belamcandae rhizoma, Nelumbinis semen, Gleniae radix, Aurantii immatri pericarpium inhibited more than 85% of BMMC COX-2 activity at a concentration 2.5mcg/ml.
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