Pentacyclic triterpenoids and ceramide mediate the vasorelaxant activity of Vitex cienkowskii via involvement of NO/cGMP pathway in isolated rat aortic rings

Tanacetum species: Bridging empirical knowledge, phytochemistry, nutritional value, health benefits and clinical evidence

Introduction: The Tanacetum genus consists of 160 accepted flowering species thriving throughout temperate regions, mainly in the Mediterranean Basin, Northern America, and southwestern and eastern Asia. Tanacetum species bear a long-standing record of use in the folk medicine of indigenous tribes and communities worldwide, along with multitudinous applications in traditional cuisines, cosmeceuticals, and agricultural fields. Methods: Up-to-date data related to traditional uses, phytochemistry, biological activities, toxicity and clinical trials of the genus Tanacetum were systematically reviewed from several online scientific engines, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SciFinder, Wiley Online, Science Direct, and Cochrane library. Results and discussion: Over the past three decades, 241 metabolites have been isolated from nearly twenty species, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, coumarins, fatty acids and alkanes, aldehydes, volatile compounds, and naphthoquinones. Some unique metabolites have also been identified, such as the ceramides tanacetamide (A-D) from T. artemisioides, pyrethrins from T. cinerariifolium, and sesquiterpene lactones from several species. However, these secondary metabolites are still poorly studied despite in vitro clues highlighting their colossal pharmacological properties, especially as hypotensive, neuroprotective, anticancer, and antimicrobial agents. Scientific studies have validated some traditional claims of the plant, such as antidiabetic, anticancer, anthelmintic, insecticide, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective activities, as well as against festering wounds, skin ulcers, urinary tract infections, and sexually transmitted diseases. Other ethnomedicinal uses for arthritis, gout, rheumatism, anemia, and as a litholytic, antivenom and diaphoretic have not yet been supported and would constitute the subject of further research.

Definition of chemical markers for Hancornia speciosa Gomes by chemometric analysis based on the chemical composition of extracts, their vasorelaxant effect and α-glucosidase inhibition

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Hancornia speciosa Gomes (Apocynaceae) is a tree found in the Brazilian savannah, traditionally used to treat several diseases, including diabetes and hypertension. The anti-hypertensive activity of H. speciosa leaves (HSL) has been demonstrated in different models and is credited to the vasodilator effect and ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibition. The hypoglycemic effect of HSL has been also reported.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To establish correlations between the biological activities elicited by H. speciosa extracts and the contents of their major compounds, aiming to define chemical markers related to the potential antihypertensive and antidiabetic effects of the species. Additionally, it aimed to isolate and characterize the chemical structure of a marker related to the α-glucosidase inhibitory effect.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Extracts of a single batch of H. speciosa leaves were prepared by extraction with distinct solvents (ethanol/water in different proportions; methanol/ethyl acetate), employing percolation or static maceration as extraction techniques, at different time intervals. The contents of chlorogenic acid, rutin and FlavHS (a tri-O-glycoside of quercetin) were quantified by a developed and validated HPLC-PDA method. Bornesitol was determined by HPLC-PDA after derivatization with tosyl chloride, whereas total flavonoids were measured spectrophotometrically. Identification of other constituents in the extracts was performed by UPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS analysis. The vasorelaxant activity was assayed in rat aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine, and α-glucosidase inhibition was tested in vitro. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to evaluate the contribution of each marker to the biological responses. Isolation of compound 1 was carried out by column chromatography and structure characterization was accomplished by NMR and UPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS analyses.

RESULTS

The contents of the chemical markers (mean ± s.d. % w/w) varied significantly among the extracts, including total flavonoids (2.68 ± 0.14 to 5.28 ± 0.29), bornesitol (5.11 ± 0.26 to 7.75 ± 0.78), rutin (1.46 ± 0.06 to 1.97 ± 0.02), FlavHS (0.72 ± 0.05 to 0.94 ± 0.14) and chlorogenic acid (0.67 ± 0.09 to 0.91 ± 0.02). All extracts elicited vasorelaxant effect (pIC₅₀ between 4.97 ± 0.22 to 6.48 ± 0.10) and α-glucosidase inhibition (pIC₅₀ between 3.49 ± 0.21 to 4.03 ± 0.10). PCA disclosed positive correlations between the vasorelaxant effect and the contents of chlorogenic acid, rutin, total flavonoids, and FlavHS, whereas a negative correlation was found with bornesitol concentration. No significant correlation between α-glucosidase inhibition and the contents of the above-mentioned compounds was found. On the other hand, PCA carried out with the areas of the ten major peaks from the chromatograms disclosed positive correlations between a peak ascribed to co-eluted triterpenes and α-glucosidase inhibition. A triterpene was isolated and identified as 3-O-β-(3'-R-hydroxy)-hexadecanoil-lupeol.

CONCLUSION

According to PCA results, the vasorelaxant activity of H. speciosa extracts is related to flavonoids and chlorogenic acid, whereas the α-glucosidase inhibition is associated with lipophilic compounds, including esters of lupeol like 3-O-β-(3'-R-hydroxy)-hexadecanoil-lupeol, described for the first time for the species. These compounds can be selected as chemical markers for the quality control of H. speciosa plant drug and derived extracts.

Vasorelaxant Effects of the Vitex Agnus-Castus Extract

This study was undertaken to describe and characterize the relaxing effects of the medicinal plant Vitex agnus-castus (VAC) extract on isolated rabbit arterial rings. The VAC extracts (VACE) were extracted with ethanol and tested in aorta rings (3-4 mm) of rabbits suspended in an organ bath (Krebs, 37°C, 95% O₂/5% CO₂) under a resting tension of 1 g to record isometric contractions. After the stabilization period (1-2 hours), contractions were induced by the addition of phenylephrine (0.5 μM) or high KCl (80 mM) and VACE was added on the plateau of the contractions. Experiments were performed to determine the effects and to get insights into the potential mechanism involved in VACE-induced relaxations. The cumulative addition of VACE (0.15–0.75 mg/mL) relaxed, in a concentration-dependent manner, the rabbit aorta rings precontracted either with phenylephrine- or with high KCl thus suggesting calcium channel blocking activities. The VACE effect appeared to be endothelium-dependent. The preincubation with L-NAME (the inhibitor of nitric oxide synthases (NOS)), ODQ (the selective inhibitor of guanylyl cyclase), and indomethacin (the cyclooxygenase inhibitor), downregulated VACE-induced relaxation of aorta rings precontracted with phenylephrine, whereas the bradykinin (stimulator of NOS) and zaprinast (phosphodiesterase inhibitor) further upregulated relaxant effects induced by VACE. These results revealed that the aorta relaxation effect of VACE was mainly endothelium-dependent and mediated by NO/cGMP and prostaglandins synthesis. This vasodilator effect of VACE may be useful to treat cardiovascular disorders, including hypertensive diseases.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of genus Vitex (Lamiaceae)

Vitex, the genus of the family Lamiaceae, comprises of about 230 species mostly distributed in the warm regions of Europe and temperate regions of Asia. Several Vitex species have been used as folk medicine in different countries for the treatment of various kinds of diseases and ailments. The main aim of this review is to collect and analyze the scientific information available about the Vitex species regarding their chemical constituents and pharmacological activities. The phytochemical investigation of various Vitex species has resulted in the isolation of about 556 chemical constituents belong to various chemical category viz. iridoids, diterpenoids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, lignans, sesquiterpenoids, monoterpenoids, ecdysteroids, and others. The crude extracts of different Vitex species as well as pure phytochemicals exhibited a wide spectrum of in-vitro and in-vivo pharmacological activities. In the present review, the scientific literature data on the ethnopharmacological, phytochemical, and pharmacological investigations on the genus Vitex are summarized. More attention should be given in future research to evaluate the pharmacological potential with detailed mechanism of actions for the pure compounds, extracts of plants from this genus. Moreover, their clinical study is needed to justify their use in modern medicine and to further exploring this genus for new drug discovery.

Antihypertensive Effects of the Vitex cienkowskii (Verbenaceae) Stem-Bark Extract on L-NAME-Induced Hypertensive Rats

Vitex cienkowskii stem-bark is used in Cameroonian traditional medicine to treat cardiovascular diseases including hypertension. In previous studies, the methanol/methylene chloride stem-bark extract of Vitex cienkowskii (MMVC) showed a preventive activity in L-NAME-induced hypertension and improved blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats. The present study investigated the curative effects in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats (LNHR). Hypertension was induced in rats by oral administration of L-NAME (40 mg/kg/day) for 28 days. The animals were divided into 2 groups: one group of 5 rats receiving distilled water (10 ml/kg) and another 20 rats receiving L-NAME. At the end of 4 weeks of administration of L-NAME, the animals were divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each: one group of hypertensive rats receiving distilled water, another one receiving captopril (25 mg/kg), and two groups of hypertensive rats receiving MMVC at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Body weight, food, and water intake were measured weekly. At the end of the treatment, blood pressure and heart rate were recorded by invasive method. Whole heart, left ventricle, kidneys, and liver were weighed. The effects of plant extract on lipid profile and oxidative stress markers, as well as markers of hepatic and renal functions were assessed spectrophotometrically according to well described protocols. Results show that L-NAME significantly increases the mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), atherogenic index, lipid profile, and creatinine and transaminase activities of normotensive rats. MMVC significantly reduced the blood pressure in LNHR. Body weight, food and water intake, left ventricular hypertrophy, antioxidant level, renal and hepatic markers, and lipid profile were improved by the treatment with MMVC. The curative effect of MMVC on L-NAME-induced hypertension is probably related to its antihypertensive, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant properties. These results confirmed the use of Vitex cienkowskii for the treatment of hypertension in traditional medicine.

A new phytoecdysteroid from the stem bark of Vitex cienkowskii

To investigate differences in the metabolome of the stem bark of Vitex cienkowskii harvested at three different locations and three different seasons, their extracts were analyzed by means of UPLC–ESI–IMS–TOF MSe. One marker metabolite was isolated and chemically characterized, which was identified as the new compound 20,24-dihydroxy,24-hydroxymethylecdysone (1). IMS showed two drift time species for 1 which could be used as new and additional characteristic compound parameters in compound identification to reduce dereplication and false positives.

Evidence for Effective Inhibitory Actions on Hyperpolarization-Activated Cation Current Caused by Ganoderma Triterpenoids, the Main Active Constitutents of Ganoderma Spores

The triterpenoid fraction of Ganoderma (Ganoderma triterpenoids, GTs) has been increasingly demonstrated to provide effective antioxidant, neuroprotective or cardioprotective activities. However, whether GTs is capable of perturbing the transmembrane ionic currents existing in electrically excitable cells is not thoroughly investigated. In this study, an attempt was made to study whether GTs could modify hyperpolarization-activated cation currents (I_h) in pituitary tumor (GH₃) cells and in HL-1 atrial cardiomyocytes. In whole-cell current recordings, the addition of GTs produced a dose-dependent reduction in the amplitude of I_h in GH₃ cells with an IC₅₀ value of 11.7 µg/mL, in combination with a lengthening in activation time constant of the current. GTs (10 µg/mL) also caused a conceivable shift in the steady-state activation curve of I_h along the voltage axis to a more negative potential by approximately 11 mV. Subsequent addition of neither 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine nor 8-(p-sulfophenyl)theophylline, still in the presence of GTs, could attenuate GTs-mediated inhibition of I_h. In current-clamp voltage recordings, GTs diminished the firing frequency of spontaneous action potentials in GH₃ cells, and it also decreased the amplitude of sag potential in response to hyperpolarizing current stimuli. In murine HL-1 cardiomyocytes, the GTs addition also suppressed the amplitude of I_h effectively. In DPCPX (1 µM)-treated HL-1 cells, the inhibitory effect of GTs on I_h remained efficacious. Collectively, the inhibition of I_h caused by GTs is independent of its possible binding to adenosine receptors and it might have profound influence in electrical behaviors of different types of electrically excitable cells (e.g., pituitary and heart cells) if similar in vitro or in vivo findings occur.

Pentacyclic triterpenes: New tools to fight metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome is a combination of dysregulated cardiometabolic risk factors characterized by dyslipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, inflammation, obesity as well as hypertension. These factors are tied to the increased risk for type-II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases including myocardial infarction in patients with metabolic syndrome.

PURPOSE

To review the proposed molecular mechanisms of pentacyclic triterpenes for their potential use in the metabolic syndrome.

METHODS

PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar database were searched from commencement to April 2018. Following keywords were searched in the databases with varying combinations: "metabolic syndrome", "pentacyclic triterpenes", "transcription factors", "protein kinase", "lipogenesis", "adipogenesis", "lipolysis", "fatty acids", "gluconeogenesis", "cardiovascular", "mitochondria", "oxidative stress", "pancreas", "hepatic cells", "skeletal muscle", "3T3-L1", "C2C12", "obesity", "inflammation", "insulin resistance", "glucose uptake", "clinical studies" and "bioavailability".

RESULTS

Pentacyclic triterpenes, such as asiatic acid, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid, α,β-amyrin, celastrol, carbenoxolone, corosolic acid, maslinic acid, bardoxolone methyl and lupeol downregulate several metabolic syndrome components by regulating transcription factors, protein kinases and enzyme involved in the adipogenesis, lipolysis, fatty acid oxidation, insulin resistance, mitochondria biogenesis, gluconeogenesis, oxidative stress and inflammation.

CONCLUSION

In vitro and in vivo studies suggests that pentacyclic triterpenes effectively downregulate various factors related to metabolic syndrome. These phytochemicals may serve as promising candidates for clinical trials for the management of metabolic syndrome.

Vascular Endothelium-Dependent and Independent Actions of Oleanolic Acid and Its Synthetic Oleanane Derivatives as Possible Mechanisms for Hypotensive Effects

Purpose

Plant-derived oleanolic acid (OA) and its related synthetic derivatives (Br-OA and Me-OA) possess antihypertensive effects in experimental animals. The present study investigated possible underlying mechanisms in rat isolated single ventricular myocytes and in vascular smooth muscles superfused at 37°C.

Methods

Cell shortening was assessed at 1 Hz using a video-based edge-detection system and the L-type Ca²⁺ current (I_CaL) was measured using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique in single ventricular myocytes. Isometric tension was measured using force transducer in isolated aortic rings and in mesenteric arteries. Vascular effects were measured in endothelium-intact and denuded vessels in the presence of various enzyme or channel inhibitors.

Results

OA and its derivatives increased cell shortening in cardiomyocytes isolated from normotensive rats but had no effect in those isolated from hypertensive animals. These triterpenes also caused relaxation in aortic rings and in mesenteric arteries pre-contracted with either phenylephrine or KCl-enriched solution. The relaxation was only partially inhibited by endothelium denudation, and also partly inhibited by the cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor indomethacin, with no additional inhibitory effect of the NO synthase inhibitor, N-ω-Nitro-L-arginine. A combination of both ATP-dependent channel inhibition by glibenclaminde and voltage-dependent K⁺ channel inhibition by 4-aminopyridine was necessary to fully inhibit the relaxation.

Conclusion

These data indicate that the effects of OA and its derivatives are mediated via both endothelium-dependent and independent mechanisms suggesting the involvement of COX in the endothelium-dependent effects and of vascular muscle K⁺ channels in the endothelium-independent effects. Finally, our results support the view that the antihypertensive action of OA and its derivatives is due to a decrease of vascular resistance with no negative inotropic effect on the heart.

Changes in Renal Function and Oxidative Status Associated with the Hypotensive Effects of Oleanolic Acid and Related Synthetic Derivatives in Experimental Animals

Purpose

The triterpene oleanolic acid (OA) is known to possess antihypertensive actions. In the present study we to compared the effects of the triterpene on mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and kidney function following acute administration in normotensive animals with those of its related oleanane synthetic derivatives (brominated oleanolic acid, Br-OA and oleanolic acid methyl ester, Me-OA). We also used experimental models of hypertension to further explore the effects of sub-chronic oral OA treatment and evaluated influences on oxidative status.

Methods

OA was extracted from dried flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum using a previously validated protocol in our laboratory. Me-OA and Br-OA were synthesized according to a method described. Rats were supplemented with lithium chloride (12 mmol L^-1) prior to experimentation in order to raise plasma lithium to allow measurements of lithium clearance and fractional excretion (FE_Li) as indices of proximal tubular Na⁺ handling. Anaesthetized animals were continuously infused via the right jugular with 0.077M NaCl. MAP was measured via a cannula inserted in the carotid artery, and urine was collected through a cannula inserted in the bladder. After a 3.5 h equilibration, MAP, urine flow, electrolyte excretion rates were determined for 4 h of 1 h control, 1.5 h treatment and 1.5 h recovery periods. OA, Me-OA and Br-OA were added to the infusate during the treatment period. We evaluated sub-chronic effects on MAP and kidney function in normotensive Wistar rats and in two animal models of hypertension, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rats, during 9-week administration of OA (p.o.). Tissue oxidative status was examined in these animals at the end of the study. Increasing evidence suggests that and renal function disturbances and oxidative stress play major roles in the pathogenesis of hypertension.

Results

Acute infusion OA and oleanane derivatives displayed qualitatively similar effects in decreasing MAP and increasing urinary Na⁺ outputs. The drugs increased the FE_Na and FE_Li without influencing GFR indicating that at least part of the overall natriuretic effect involved proximal tubular Na⁺ reabsorption. Sub-chronic OA administration (p.o.) also elicited hypotensive responses in Wistar, DSS and SHR rats. The MAP lowering effect was more marked in hypertensive animals and were positively correlated with increased urinary Na⁺ excretion. Compared with respective control rats, OA treatment reduced malondialdehyde (MDA, a marker of lipid peroxidation) and increased activities of antioxidant enzymes; superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in hepatic, cardiac and renal tissues.

Conclusions

OA and oleanane derivatives have similar effects on MAP, kidney function and oxidative stress. The amelioration of oxidative stress and blood pressure lowering effects by OA are more marked in hypertensive animals and correlated with an increased urinary Na⁺ output.

Novelty of the Work

The results of this study are novel in that they show 1) a correlation between blood pressure reduction and increased urinary Na⁺ excretion by OA, 2) a more marked MAP reduction in hypertensive animals and 3) a drug-induced decrease in proximal tubule Na⁺ reabsorption. The results may also be clinically relevant because OA is effective via oral administration.

Tetra-acetylajugasterone a new constituent of Vitex cienkowskii with vasorelaxant activity

Tetra-acetylajugasterone C (TAAC) was found to be one of the naturally occurring compounds of the Cameroonian medicinal plant Vitex cienkowskii which is responsible for a vasorelaxant activity of an extract of this plant. The evaluation of the underlying mechanisms for the relaxing effect of TAAC was determined using aortic rings of rats and mice. TAAC produced a concentration-dependent relaxation in rat artery rings pre-contracted with 1μM noradrenaline (IC50: 8.40μM) or 60mM KCl (IC50: 36.30μM). The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor l-NAME (100μM) and the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ (10μM) significantly attenuated the vasodilatory effect of TAAC. TAAC also exerted a relaxing effect in aorta of wild-type mice (cGKI(+/+); IC50=13.04μM) but a weaker effect in aorta of mice lacking cGMP-dependent protein kinase I (cGKI(-/-); IC50=36.12μM). The involvement of calcium channels was studied in rings pre-incubated in calcium-free buffer and primed with 1μM noradrenaline prior to addition of calcium to elicit contraction. TAAC (100μM) completely inhibited the resulting calcium-induced vasoconstriction. The same concentration of TAAC showed a stronger effect on the tonic than on the phasic component of noradrenaline-induced contraction. This study shows that TAAC, a newly detected constituent of Vitex cienkowskii contributes to the relaxing effect of an extract of the plant. The effect is partially mediated by the involvement of the NO/cGMP pathway of the smooth muscle but additionally inhibition of calcium influx into the cell may play a role.

Maslinic acid protects vascular smooth muscle cells from oxidative stress through Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

Maslinic acid (MA) is a natural triterpenoid widely distributed in edible and medicinal plants and has been demonstrated to possess bioactivity. However, its effect on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) has not been explored yet. In this study, we found that heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression was increased in VSMCs treated with MA. Furthermore, MA was found to induce Akt activation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Wortmannin suppression of Akt was able to abolish HO-1 upregulation in VSMCs, suggesting the requirement of Akt activation for MA effect on HO-1. Further investigation indicated that Akt activation resulted in the elevated expression of Nrf2, a HO-1 promoter, in MA-treated VMSCs. Finally, we found that MA was able to protect VSMCs from oxidative stress induced by H2O2. Blocking the activation of Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 was able to compromise the protective effect of MA on VSMCs. Collectively, we provided evidence that MA protected VMSCs from oxidative stress through Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Biotransformations of diterpenoids and triterpenoids: a review

During the past few years, research has focused on the microbial transformation of a huge variety of organic compounds to obtain compounds of therapeutic and/or industrial interest. Microbial transformation is a useful tool for organic chemists looking for new compounds, as a consequence of the variety of reactions for natural products. Terpenoids are a large family of natural products exhibiting a wide range of biological activities such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, anti-HIV and anti-tumor effects; hypotensive agents; sweeteners; insecticides; anti-feedants; phytotoxic agents; perfumery intermediates; and plant growth hormones. This article describes the biotransformation products of diterpenoids and triterpenoids in a variety of biological media. Emphasis is placed on reporting the metabolites that may be of special interest as well as the practical aspects of this work in the field of microbial transformations. This review covers the literature from 1991 to 2012.

Cameroonian medicinal plants: a bioactivity versus ethnobotanical survey and chemotaxonomic classification

Background

In Cameroon herbs are traditionally used to meet health care needs and plans are on the way to integrate traditional medicine in the health care system, even though the plans have not been put into action yet. The country however has a rich biodiversity, with ~8,620 plant species, some of which are commonly used in the treatment of several microbial infections and a range of diseases (malaria, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, diabetes and tuberculosis).

Methods

Our survey consisted in collecting published data from the literature sources, mainly from PhD theses in Cameroonian university libraries and also using the author queries in major natural product and medicinal chemistry journals. The collected data includes plant sources, uses of plant material in traditional medicine, plant families, region of collection of plant material, isolated metabolites and type (e.g. flavonoid, terpenoid, etc.), measured biological activities of isolated compounds, and any comments on significance of isolated metabolites on the chemotaxonomic classification of the plant species. This data was compiled on a excel sheet and analysed.

Results

In this study, a literature survey led to the collection of data on 2,700 secondary metabolites, which have been previously isolated or derived from Cameroonian medicinal plants. This represents distinct phytochemicals derived from 312 plant species belonging to 67 plant families. The plant species are investigated in terms of chemical composition with respect to the various plant families. A correlation between the known biological activities of isolated compounds and the ethnobotanical uses of the plants is also attempted. Insight into future direction for natural product search within the Cameroonian forest and Savanna is provided.

Conclusions

It can be verified that a phytochemical search of active secondary metabolites, which is inspired by knowledge from the ethnobotanical uses of medicinal plants could be very vital in a drug discovery program from plant-derived bioactive compounds.

Preliminary evaluation of the wound healing effect of Vitex doniana sweet (Verbenaceae) in mice

Vitex doniana is traditionally used in Togo to treat various diseases including wounds. The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of Vitex doniana on cutaneous wound healing. Wounds were induced in ICR mice divided into four groups as following: Group I received carbopol 974P NF empty gel, Groups II and III were treated topically with carbopol gel containing 2.5% and 5% of Vitex doniana extract. Group IV received Betadine® 10% as standard drug. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated by planimetry and histological analysis. We secondary used the gel containing Vitex doniana at 2.5% and the pure extract at 10 mg/ml on the model of ear edema induced by xylene. Skin toxicity test was performed with the gel containing Vitex doniana at 5% and the pure extract at 30 mg/ml. Vitex doniana at 5% and 2.5% provided better wound contraction (91.14% and 86.38%) at day 12 post-excision when compared to control (51.15%). The results of histological evaluation supported the outcome of excision wound model. Moreover Vitex doniana inhibited significantly edema induced by xylene when compared to control (p< 0.05). In skin toxicity test, no abnormal symptoms were developed over 14 day-time period. Vitex doniana inhibits the topical inflammation and accelerate cutaneous wound repair.