title: Suppression of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages by aqueous extract of Clinopodium vulgare L. (Lamiaceae).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The wild basil Clinopodium vulgare L. is commonly used in Bulgarian folk medicine for treatment of irritated skin, mastitis- and prostatitis-related swelling, as well as for some disorders accompanied with significant degree of inflammation (e.g. gastric ulcers, diabetes, and cancer).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of aqueous extract of Clinopodium vulgare L. on LPS-induced inflammatory responses of murine RAW 264.7 macrophages.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cell cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay. Protein expression levels were monitored by Western blot analysis. Production of NO and PGE(2) was measured by the Griess colorimetric method and enzyme immunoassay, respectively. Activation of MMP-9 was visualized by gelatin zymography. Cytokine levels were determined by BioPlex assay. Intracellular ROS and free radical scavenging potential were measured by DCFH-DA and DPPH method, respectively. Xanthine oxidase activity was evaluated spectrophotometrically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The extract suppresses NF-kappaB activation by preventing I kappa-B phosphorylation and inhibits the phosphorylation of p38 and SAPK/JNK MAPKs. It down-regulates iNOS expression which manifests as a drastic decrease of NO production, inhibits MMP-9 activation, but does not affect COX-2 protein levels and reduces only slightly the released PGE(2). Secretion of IL-1 beta and Il-10 is greatly reduced, whereas suppression of TNF-alpha and GM-CSF production is less dramatic. The extract has strong free radical scavenging properties and exerts inhibitory effect on xanthine oxidase activity, which lowers the levels of intracellular ROS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study provides evidence for the anti-inflammatory potential of Clinopodium vulgare L. aqueous extract.
authors.affiliation: Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA. drburk@asu.edu
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Burk
authors.forename: Patti
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Senechal-Willis
authors.forename: Linda C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: Brenda G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Hogue
authors.forename: Sasha M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Daskalova
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002460:Cell Line; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced*; D019686:Lamiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014867:Water; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D015232:Dinoprostone