Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Bellevalia saviczii Root Extract and Its Isolated Homoisoflavonoid (Dracol) Are Mediated by Modification on Calcium Signaling

<i>Bellevalia saviczii</i> is a medicinal plant used as anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory herbal remedy in Iraqi-Kurdistan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of its extract and the isolated homoisoflavonoid (<i>Dracol</i>) by studying the Ca²⁺-dependent NF-kB pathway. Nuclear translocation of p65 NF-kB subunit, as parameter of NF-kB activation, was visualized in human leukemic monocytes by immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses, after cell treatment with <i>B. saviczii</i> root extract or <i>Dracol</i> followed by Lipopolysaccharide stimulation. In parallel, Ca²⁺ signals responsible for NF-kB activation and levels of inflammatory cytokines were investigated. LPS-induced p65 translocation was evident in monocytes and both treatments, in particular that with <i>Dracol</i>, were able to counteract this activation. Intracellular Ca²⁺ oscillations were halted and the cytokine release reduced. These results confirm the traditional anti-inflammatory efficacy of <i>B. saviczii</i> and identify one of the molecules in the extract which appears to be responsible of this action.