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ANTI-ARTHRITIC AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF POGOSTEMON CABLIN FROM NORTH KOLAKA: PRO-INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINE SUPPRESSION IN AN ACUTE INFLAMMATION MODEL AND GC-MS/MS-BASED METABOLITE PROFILING

ADRYAN FRISTIOHADY 1*, JAFRIATI 2, IRVAN ANWAR 1, LIDYA A. HARUNA 1, HARIANA 1, RATHAPON ASASUTJARIT 3, LA ODE MUH. JULIAN PURNAMA 3, SAHIDIN ¹

¹ Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Halu Oleo, Kendari, Indonesia
2 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Halu Oleo, Kendari, Indonesia
3 Thammasat University Research Unit in Drug, Health Product Development and Application (DHP-DA), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand

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Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder marked by persistent inflammation and progressive joint destruction, while current therapies may cause adverse effects and limited tolerability. This study evaluated the metabolite profile and anti-inflammatory/anti-arthritic activities of Pogostemon cablin leaves from North Kolaka. Ethanolic extract was fractionated using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and water. Volatile constituents were tentatively identified by GC-MS/MS via library matching, without confirmation by reference standards. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using HRBC membrane stabilization and BSA denaturation assays, followed by a xylene-induced ear edema model in mice (n = 3/group), with plasma TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 measured by ELISA. Anti-arthritic activity was separately assessed using a CFA-induced arthritis model, evaluating effects on paw edema progression. Seven compounds were tentatively identified, including eucalyptol, γ-terpinene, p-cymene, caryophyllene, α-guaiene, seychellene, and patchouli alcohol. The extract and fractions showed concentration-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in vitro. In the acute model, treatment significantly reduced edema and cytokine levels (p < 0.05); in the CFA model, paw edema progression was significantly attenuated (p < 0.05). These findings support P. cablin from North Kolaka as a source of bioactive compounds for inflammatory and arthritic disorders.