Extracts of Baccharis conferta Kunth Reduce Carrageenan‐Induced Paw Edema in Mice and Inhibit NF‐ κ B in LPS‐Stimulated RAW‐Blue Macrophages

ABSTRACT

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%), 3 β ‐myristoylolean‐12‐en‐16 β ‐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.