Eucommiae cortex inhibits TNF-α and IL-6 through the suppression of caspase-1 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages.
Eucommiae cortex (EC) is used in various traditional Korean medicines in the form of tonics, analgesics, and sedatives. However, the underlying mechanism of its anti-inflammatory effect remains unclear. This study attempts to determine the effects of EC on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in mouse peritoneal macrophages. The findings of the study show that EC inhibits the LPS-induced production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6. Exposure to EC also reduces an inflammation-induced increase in the levels of cyclooxigenase-2 and the production of prostaglandin E(2) and nitric oxide in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Furthermore, EC suppresses the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B and caspase-1. These results provide novel insights into the pharmacological action of EC and indicate that EC has a potential in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea.
Min-Cheol
MC
Kim
Dae-Seung
DS
Kim
Su-Jin
SJ
Kim
Jinbong
J
Park
Hye-Lin
HL
Kim
Seon-Young
SY
Kim
Kwang Seok
KS
Ahn
Hyeung-Jin
HJ
Jang
Seok-Geun
SG
Lee
Kang-Min
KM
Lee
Seung-Heon
SH
Hong
Jae-Young
JY
Um
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D031283:Eucommiaceae; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D055670:Medicine, Korean Traditional; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008517:Phytotherapy; D024301:Plant Bark; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D015232:Dinoprostone