title: Chloroform extract of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation by downregulating ERK/NF-κB signaling and cytokine production.
abstract: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is commonly used as a traditional medicine and functional food. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of alfalfa and the mechanisms involved. The chloroform extract of alfalfa aerial parts inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated immune responses more than ether, butanol, or water soluble extracts. Treatment with 1 μg/mL LPS increased nitrite concentrations to 44.3 μM in RAW267.4 macrophages, but it was reduced to 10.6 μM by adding 100 μg/mL chloroform extract. LPS treatment also increased the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β to 41.3, 11.6, and 0.78 ng/mL in culture supernatants of the cells, but these cytokine levels decreased to 12.5, 3.1, and 0.19 ng/mL, respectively, by pretreating with 100 μg/mL of the extract. ICR mice injected with LPS (30 mg/kg body weight) alone showed a 0% survival rate after 48 h of the injection, but 48-h survival of the mice increased to 60% after oral administration of the extract. Subfractions of the chloroform extract markedly suppressed LPS-mediated activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase and nuclear factor kappa-B. Cinnamic acid derivatives and fatty acids were found to be active constituents of the extract. This research demonstrated that alfalfa aerial parts exert anti-inflammatory activity and may be useful as a functional food for the prevention of inflammatory disorders.
authors: Grassland and Forages Research Center, National Institute of Animal Science, Cheonan, Korea.
authors: Ki-Choon
authors: KC
authors: Choi
authors: Jung-Min
authors: JM
authors: Hwang
authors: Sung-Jun
authors: SJ
authors: Bang
authors: Beom-Tae
authors: BT
authors: Kim
authors: Dong-Hern
authors: DH
authors: Kim
authors: Minseon
authors: M
authors: Chae
authors: Seung-Ah
authors: SA
authors: Lee
authors: Gi Jun
authors: GJ
authors: Choi
authors: Da Hye
authors: DH
authors: Kim
authors: Jeong-Chae
authors: JC
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002460:Cell Line; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D000455:Medicago sativa / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010936:Plant Extracts; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases