title: Re-evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of mastic using activated macrophages.
abstract: Mastic is a resinous exudate obtained from the stem and the main leaves of Pistacia lentiscus. Mastic has shown several beneficial pharmaceutical properties such as antibacterial and apoptosis-modulating activities. The aim of this study was to investigate whether mastic affects the function of activated macrophages. Both solid and liquid types of mastic inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory substances such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin (PG)E(2) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated mouse macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells. This was accompanied by the decline of viable cell number. Western blot and RT-PCR analyses showed that mastic inhibited the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 at both protein and mRNA levels. ESR spectroscopy revealed that mastic scavenged NO and superoxide radicals very poorly, in contrast to its potent hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. These data demonstrate that mastic inhibits the production of both NO and PGE(2) by activated macrophages mostly via its cytotoxic action. The narrow range of effective concentration of mastic due to its cytotoxicity may limit its potential application as an anti-inflammatory agent.
authors: Meikai Pharmaco-Medical Laboratory, Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sciences, Meikai University School of Dentistry, Sakado, Saitama, Japan. lizhou218@yahoo.co.jp
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Zhou
authors: Kazue
authors: K
authors: Satoh
authors: Keiso
authors: K
authors: Takahashi
authors: Shuji
authors: S
authors: Watanabe
authors: Wataru
authors: W
authors: Nakamura
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Maki
authors: Hajime
authors: H
authors: Hatano
authors: Fumihiro
authors: F
authors: Takekawa
authors: Chiyako
authors: C
authors: Shimada
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Sakagami
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000069997:Mastic Resin; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D027927:Pistacia; D012116:Resins, Plant / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D000069997:Mastic Resin; D012116:Resins, Plant; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D015232:Dinoprostone