Sea cucumber, Stichopus japonicus ethyl acetate fraction modulates the lipopolysaccharide induced iNOS and COX-2 via MAPK signaling pathway in murine macrophages.

The sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus is an important food and traditional medicine in Asian countries. However, ethyl acetate solvent fraction of S. japonicus (SCEA-F) is largely unknown for its anti-inflammatory activity and related molecular mechanisms. In this study, effect of SCEA-F on inflammation was investigated in LPS stimulated RAW264.7 cells. SCEA-F significantly inhibited the productions of NO and PGE(2) by inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 at their protein and gene levels. The production and the gene transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines are also inhibited. The responsible molecular signaling for these inhibitory actions was found to be through suppression of the phosphorylation of MAPK molecules; ERK and p38 MAPK. These results indicate that SCEA-F inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory response via blocking of MAPK signaling pathway in murine macrophages, thus demonstrated its in vitro anti-inflammatory potential. Therefore it could be suggested that SCEA-F could be effectively used in functional food preparations.