Methanol extract of Biophytum sensitivum alters the cytokine profile and inhibits iNOS and COX-2 expression in LPS/Con A stimulated macrophages.

Biophytum sensitivum has been used in traditional folk medicine to treat numerous diseases. The molecular mechanism of B. sensitivum pharmacological and biochemical actions of macrophages in inflammation has not been clearly elucidated. We examined how the methanol extract of B. sensitivum regulates the production of interleukin (IL)-1beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-6, and nitric oxide (NO) in vitro and in vivo. The extract inhibits the production of NO and proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or Concanavalin (Con) A-stimulated primary macrophages. In vitro L929 bioassay revealed the inhibition of TNF-alpha production by B. sensitivum treatment. Moreover, the extract could suppress the inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclo-oxygenase-2 mRNA expression in LPS or Con A-stimulated macrophages. These findings provide evidence that B. sensitivum possesses potential anti-inflammatory activity and may be beneficial for the treatment of endotoxin shock or sepsis.