Rutaecarpine (Rhetine) is an inhibitor of COX-2 with IC50 of 0.28 μM.

Rutaecarpine is an indolopyridoquinazolinone alkaloid isolated from Evodia rutaecarpa and related herbs, which has shown a variety of intriguing biological properties such as anti-thrombotic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, anti-obesity and thermoregulatory, vasorelaxing activity, as well as effects on the cardiovascular and endocrine systems. [1]

Rutaecarpine is dissolved in DMSO and diluted with appropriate medium before use. COX-1 and COX-2 cDNA-transfected HEK293 cells are prepared. For measuring inhibitory activity on COX-1 and COX-2 by rutaecarpine, cells in 1 mL of culture medium are seeded into each well of 24-well. After culture for 4 days, the supernatants are removed and 250 mL of fresh medium is added to the cells with or without rutaecarpine. After preincubation for 5 h at 37°C, the cells are further incubated at 37°C for 30 min with 50 mM arachidonic acid. All reactions are stopped by centrifugation at 120 g at 4°C for 5 min. Concentrations of PGE2 in the supernatant are measured[1].