title: The Stem Bark of Kalopanax pictus Exhibits Anti-inflammatory Effect through Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction and NF-κB Suppression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The stem bark of Kalopanax pictus (KP) has been used in traditional medicine to treat rheumatoidal arthritis, neurotic pain and diabetes mellitus in China and Korea. In this study, the mechanism responsible for anti-inflammatory effects of KP was investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined the effects of KP on NO production, nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and HO-1 expression, NF-κB, Nrf2 and MAPK activation in mouse peritoneal macrophages.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The aqueous extract of KP inhibited LPS-induced NO secretion as well as inducible iNOS expression, without affecting cell viability. KP suppressed LPS-induced NF-κB activation, phosphorylation and degradation of IκB-α, phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Furthermore, KP induced HO-1 expression and Nrf2 nuclear translocation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that KP has the inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO production in macrophages through NF-κB suppression and HO-1 induction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 609-735, Korea.
authors.forename: Soo Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.forename: Ga-Young
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Sun Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Ji-Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yun Kyoung
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sang-Joon
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Younghee
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim