Hyeri Kim1, Tae-Ho Han, Seong-Gene Lee. 1. Department of Biotechnology, BK21 Graduate Program for Biotechnology, Chonnam National University, 300 Yongbong-Dong, Buk-Gu, Gwangju 500-757, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Acorus calamus L., sweet flag, is a well-known medicinal plant that grows worldwide wildly along swamps, rivers, and lakes. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of Acorus calamus leaf (ACL) extract and to explore its mechanism of action on human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HaCaT cells treated with polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (polyI:C) and peptidoglycan (PGN) induced the inflammatory reactions. The anti-inflammatory activities of ACL were investigated using RT-PCR, ELISA assay, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: HaCaT cells induced the pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-8 (IL-8) and/or interleukin-6 (IL-6) expressions after treatment with polyI:C or PGN. ACL inhibited the expression of IL-8 and IL-6 RNA and protein levels, and attenuated the activation of NF-kappaB and IRF3 after polyI:C treatment. ACL also inhibited expression of IL-8 and activation of NF-kappaB following PGN induction. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that ACL inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines through multiple mechanisms and may be a novel and effective anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of skin diseases.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Acorus calamus L., sweet flag, is a well-known medicinal plant that grows worldwide wildly along swamps, rivers, and lakes. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of Acorus calamus leaf (ACL) extract and to explore its mechanism of action on human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HaCaT cells treated with polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (polyI:C) and peptidoglycan (PGN) induced the inflammatory reactions. The anti-inflammatory activities of ACL were investigated using RT-PCR, ELISA assay, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: HaCaT cells induced the pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-8 (IL-8) and/or interleukin-6 (IL-6) expressions after treatment with polyI:C or PGN. ACL inhibited the expression of IL-8 and IL-6 RNA and protein levels, and attenuated the activation of NF-kappaB and IRF3 after polyI:C treatment. ACL also inhibited expression of IL-8 and activation of NF-kappaB following PGN induction. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that ACL inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines through multiple mechanisms and may be a novel and effective anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of skin diseases.