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Cardiospermum halicacabum suppresses the production of TNF-alpha and Nitric oxide by Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear cells Venkatesh Babu K.C. and Krishnakumari S Abstract Cardiospermum halicacabum is an Asian and African herb known to possess anti-inflammatory activities. The inhibitory effects of the ethanolic fraction of Cardiospermum halicacabum leaves extract,(EFC) on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide(NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF α) were studied in a lipopolysacchride (LPS) activated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. TNF α production was measured based on the selective sensitivity of TNF α for L929 tumorigenic murine cells. Similarly LPS stimulated macrophages cell line RAW 264.7 was used for NO inhibition studies. EFC potently inhibited TNF α (5-40 μg/mL) with IC50=17 μg/mL, and NO (20-100 μg/mL) with IC50 value being 90 μg/mL.The viability of cells at all the concentration was unaffected as determined by the MTS cytotoxicity assay.C.halicacabum thus exhibits the anti-inflammatory properties, justifying its use in rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Keywords Cardiospermum halicacabum, nitric oxide, TNF α.

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