Arnica montana is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. While the anti-inflammatory activity of Arnica flowers (Arnicae flos) has been extensively studied, that of the whole plant (Arnicae planta tota) is less characterized. We compared the ability of Arnicae planta tota and Arnicae flos extracts to inhibit the pro-inflammatory NF-κB—eicosanoid pathway, using several in vitro and in vivo assays. We showed that Arnicae planta tota inhibited NF-κB reporter activation, with an IC50 of 15.4 μg/mL (vs. 52.5 μg/mL for Arnicae flos). Arnicae planta tota also inhibited LPS-induced expression of ALOX5 and PTGS2 genes in human differentiated macrophages. ALOX5 and PTGS2 encode the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzymes that initialize the conversion of arachidonic acid into leukotrienes and prostaglandins, respectively. Arnicae planta tota inhibited 5-LO and COX-2 enzymatic activity in vitro and in human primary peripheral blood cells, with lower IC50 compared to Arnicae flos. Finally, Arnicae planta tota applied topically reduced carrageenan-induced mouse paw oedema more efficiently than Arnicae flos. Altogether, Arnicae planta tota displayed a superior anti-inflammatory activity compared to Arnicae flos, suggesting that Arnicae-planta-tota-containing products might be more effective in alleviating the manifestations of acute inflammation than those based on Arnicae flos alone.

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