Lei Chen1, Hui Teng1, Ting Fang2, Jianbo Xiao3. 1. College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China. 2. College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China. Electronic address: fangting930@163.com. 3. Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau. Electronic address: jianboxiao@yahoo.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Agrimonolide from Agrimonia pilosa showed a strong anti-inflammatory activity, and the present study aims to reveal potential mechanisms on molecular level explaining its anti-inflammatory effect. HYPOTHESIS/ PURPOSE: To investigate the mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of agrimonolide. STUDY DESIGN: Anti-inflammatory activity of agrimonolide in cells was applied. METHODS: Anti-inflammatory activity of agrimonolide isolated from Agrimonia pilosa was evaluated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW 264.7 cell models. The productions of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and NO were determined by ELISA and nitrite analysis, respectively. The expressions of iNOS and COX-2 were measured by western blotting and RT-PCR analysis. RESULTS: The pre-treatment with agrimonolide significantly reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), as well as attenuated the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Furthermore, agrimonolide inhibited the activation of JNK and p38 MAPKs and decreased the activation of JAK-STAT and NF-κB in LPS-stimulated macrophages. CONCLUSION: The present study suggested that agrimonolide exerted anti- inflammatory activity, at least in part, via suppressing LPS-induced activation of JAK-STATs and p38 MAPKs signaling pathway.
BACKGROUND:Agrimonolide from Agrimonia pilosa showed a strong anti-inflammatory activity, and the present study aims to reveal potential mechanisms on molecular level explaining its anti-inflammatory effect. HYPOTHESIS/ PURPOSE: To investigate the mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of agrimonolide. STUDY DESIGN: Anti-inflammatory activity of agrimonolide in cells was applied. METHODS: Anti-inflammatory activity of agrimonolide isolated from Agrimonia pilosa was evaluated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW 264.7 cell models. The productions of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and NO were determined by ELISA and nitrite analysis, respectively. The expressions of iNOS and COX-2 were measured by western blotting and RT-PCR analysis. RESULTS: The pre-treatment with agrimonolide significantly reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), as well as attenuated the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Furthermore, agrimonolide inhibited the activation of JNK and p38 MAPKs and decreased the activation of JAK-STAT and NF-κB in LPS-stimulated macrophages. CONCLUSION: The present study suggested that agrimonolide exerted anti- inflammatory activity, at least in part, via suppressing LPS-induced activation of JAK-STATs and p38 MAPKs signaling pathway.