BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Papaveraceae serve as a rich source of various alkaloids which have anti-inflammatory effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we investigated the effect of Hylomecon hylomeconoides ethanol extract (HHE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO and interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in RAW 264.7 cells. RESULTS: HHE inhibited LPS-induced NO and IL-6 production. Moreover, HHE suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, major constituents, dihydrosanguinarine and 6-methoxydihydrosanguinarine, of the chloroform-soluble extract were analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the results of this study indicate that the anti-inflammatory effects of HHE may occur via the inhibition of NO and IL-6 expression through the down-regulation of MAP kinase (ERK1/2, p38) phosphorylation in RAW 264.7 cells.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Papaveraceae serve as a rich source of various alkaloids which have anti-inflammatory effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we investigated the effect of Hylomecon hylomeconoidesethanol extract (HHE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO and interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in RAW 264.7 cells. RESULTS: HHE inhibited LPS-induced NO and IL-6 production. Moreover, HHE suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, major constituents, dihydrosanguinarine and 6-methoxydihydrosanguinarine, of the chloroform-soluble extract were analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the results of this study indicate that the anti-inflammatory effects of HHE may occur via the inhibition of NO and IL-6 expression through the down-regulation of MAP kinase (ERK1/2, p38) phosphorylation in RAW 264.7 cells.