title: The anti-inflammatory effect of Indonesian Areca catechu leaf extract in vitro and in vivo.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) by the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) enzyme can cause inflammation. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is also involved in the inflammatory response through regulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). Areca catechu is one of the known fruit plants of the Palmaceae family. It has been used for a long time as a source of herbal medicine in Indonesia. In this study, we explored the effect of Indonesian Areca catechu leaf ethanol extract (ACE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and carrageenan-induced paw edema models. Recently, this natural extract has been in the spotlight because of its efficacy and limited or no toxic side effects. However, the mechanism underlying its anti-inflammatory effect remains to be elucidated.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured NO production by using the Griess reagent, and determined the expression levels of inflammation-related proteins, such as iNOS, COX2, and NF-κB, by western blot. To confirm the effect of ACE in vivo, we used the carrageenan-induced paw edema model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to untreated cells, LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells treated with ACE showed reduced NO generation and reduced iNOS and COX-2 expression. We found that the acute inflammatory response was significantly reduced by ACE in the carrageenan-induced paw edema model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taken together, these results suggest that ACE can inhibit inflammation and modulate NO generation via downregulation of iNOS levels and NF-κB signaling in vitro and in vivo. ACE may have a potential medical benefit as an anti-inflammation agent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Science, School of Medicine Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Kang Pa
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Phytochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Airlangga University, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Giftania Wardani
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Sudjarwo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Science, School of Medicine Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Su
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Phytochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Airlangga University, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Septrianto
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dirgantara
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Bioscience & Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Won Jai
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Maeng
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Science, School of Medicine Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Heeok
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hong
keywords: Areca catechu; RAW 264.7 cell; anti-inflammation; carrageenan; lipopolysaccharide (LPS); paw edema