Sepsis is characterized by a systemic inflammatory response to infection, associated with high morbidity and mortality. The few effective available drugs have increased the search for novel ...antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds of natural origin. Punica granatum L. is a plant commonly used in the folk medicine due to its potential anti-inflammatory properties. Recent studies have reported these actions for P. granatum extracts or derived compounds. However, little is known of the effects of P. granatum extracts or fractions. Here, we investigated the actions of a hexane fraction (HF) obtained from the leaf hydroalcoholic extract of this plant in a murine model of sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). We found that HF (at 100mg/kg per os) reduces the production of interleukin-6, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide in septic mice. HF also increased polymorphonuclear cell accumulation in the peritoneum. Several compounds with known anti-inflammatory actions were detected in HF such as diterpenes, triterpenes and phytosterols. Overall, HF attenuated the release of inflammatory mediators in sepsis in a neutrophil-independent manner. This effect may be associated with its bioactive compounds which may act synergistically or additively, thus, influencing the immunomodulatory activity of HF in vivo.
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