title: Anti-inflammatory effects of Danggui Liuhuang Decoction () in RAW 264.7 cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE:                To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of Danggui Liuhuang Decoction () or Dangkwiyughwang-tang (DGLHT) water extract.                            METHODS:                Effect of DGLHT on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of several pro-inflammatory mediators, including nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were examined by using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. To determine the underlying mechanism of the inhibitory effects of DGLHT, the expression levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein, as well as iNOS, COX-2, and IL-6 mRNA levels were examined by Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were also examined by Western blot.                            RESULTS:                DGLHT inhibited LPS-induced production of NO, PGE(2), and IL-6 productions and the expressions of iNOS and COX-2. Furthermore, DGLHT suppressed LPS-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2).                            CONCLUSIONS:                DGLHT has inhibitory effects on the LPSinduced production of PGE(2), NO, and IL-6 and on the expressions of iNOS and COX-2 in murine macrophages. These anti-inflammatory effects occur through inhibition of MAPK phosphorylation.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy and Wonkwang-Oriental Medicines Research Institute, Wonkwang University, Jeonbuk, 570-749, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Bae
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ok-Hwa
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Joon-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Keum
authors.forename: Su-Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Mun
authors.forename: Yun-Soo
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Jang-Gi
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Ma-Ryong
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jung-Rae
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Rho
authors.forename: Dong-Won
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Ki-Jung
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Kil
authors.forename: Dong-Yeul
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Kwon