Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity of total flavonoids of the roots of Sophora flavescens.
BACKGROUND
The roots of Sophora flavescens have long been used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of fever, inflammatory disorders, ulcers and skin burns. Sophora flavescens contains flavonoids and alkaloids.


OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to develop a plant-based anti-inflammatory agent focused on chronic inflammatory disorders. To accomplish this, the alkaloid-free prenylated flavonoid-enriched fraction (PFS) of rhizomes of Sophora flavescens was prepared and its in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities were then evaluated for the first time.


METHODS
The inhibitory activity of PFS on PGE(2), NO, IL-6 and TNF-alpha production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells was measured. Additionally, adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats was used as an animal model of chronic inflammation to establish the in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of PFS.


RESULTS
PFS inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-catalyzed PGE(2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-catalyzed NO production by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells at 10-50 microg/ml, and these effects primarily occurred via COX-2 inhibition and iNOS down-regulation, respectively. PFS also inhibited IL-6 and TNF-alpha production. When tested against adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats (chronic inflammation), PFS strongly inhibited arthritic inflammation when administered orally at doses of 10-100mg/kg/day. In addition, PFS administered orally potently inhibited acetic acid-induced writhing in mice.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that PFS inhibits chronic inflammatory response and the inhibition of proinflammatory molecules such as COX-2, iNOS and IL-6 may contribute, at least in part, to the anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. Overall, these results indicate that PFS from Sophora flavescens may have the potential for treatment of chronic inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Jin
Jeong Ho
JH
College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chunchon, Republic of Korea.
Kim
Ju Sun
JS
Kang
Sam Sik
SS
Son
Kun Ho
KH
Chang
Hyun Wook
HW
Kim
Hyun Pyo
HP
D019342:Acetic Acid; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018517:Plant Roots; D054876:Prenylation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D027343:Rhizome; D029909:Sophora / Q000737:chemistry*
D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019342:Acetic Acid