In vitro anti-inflammatory effect of picrasmalignan A by the inhibition of iNOS and COX‑2 expression in LPS‑activated macrophage RAW 264.7 cells

Zhao,Feng; Chen,Lei; Bi,Chenchen; Zhang,Menglin; Jiao,Weihua; Yao,Xinsheng

doi:10.3892/mmr.2013.1663

In vitro anti-inflammatory effect of picrasmalignan A by the inhibition of iNOS and COX‑2 expression in LPS‑activated macrophage RAW 264.7 cells

Authors:
- Feng Zhao
- Lei Chen
- Chenchen Bi
- Menglin Zhang
- Weihua Jiao
- Xinsheng Yao
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Affiliations: School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Laishan, Yantai, Shandong 264005, P.R. China, Department of Pharmacy, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medicinal University, Shanghai 200003, P.R. China, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, P.R. China
Published online on: August 30, 2013 https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2013.1663
Pages: 1575-1579

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Abstract

Picrasma quassioides (P. quassioides) has been widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine for clearing fever and detoxification. Previous phytochemical studies have identified a novel dihydrobenzofuran‑type neolignan, picrasmalignan A, isolated from the stems of P. quassioides. In the present study, the in vitro anti‑inflammatory effects and molecular mechanisms of picrasmalignan A have been investigated in cultured RAW 264.7 cells, a mouse macrophage‑like cell line. A Griess assay was used to demonstrate the inhibitory effect of picrasmalignan A on the overproduction of nitric oxide (NO). An enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of pro‑inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF‑α) and interleukin‑6 (IL‑6). The inhibitory effect on the enzymatic activity of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX‑2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was observed by colorimetric and fluorimetric assays, respectively. Western blotting was conducted to detect the expression of iNOS and COX‑2. Results showed that picrasmalignan A suppressed lipopolysaccharide‑stimulated NO production and pro‑inflammatory cytokine secretion, including TNF‑α and IL‑6, in a dose‑dependent manner. It also significantly inhibited the expression and enzymatic activity of iNOS and COX‑2. These results may demonstrate the anti‑inflammatory mechanism of picrasmalignan A.

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