title: Effect of the semen extract of Cuscuta chinensis on inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the anti-inflammatory activities of the semen extract of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. (Cuscutae Semen; CS) on the production of inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin 2 (PGE2), and proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglia.
  
  
  METHODS
  BV-2 cells were treated with CS extract for 30 min, and then stimulated with LPS or without for 24 h. The levels of NO, PGE2 and proinflammatory cytokines were measured by Griess assay and ELISA. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA and protein was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and the nuclear expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 were investigated by Western blot analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CS extract significantly decreased the production of NO and PGE2 by suppressing the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in activated microglia. CS extract decreased the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 by down-regulating their transcription levels. In addition, CS extract suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 MAPK, and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in activated microglia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that CS extract is capable of suppressing the inflammatory response by microglia activation, suggesting that CS extract has potential in the treatment of brain inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Herbology, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, 707, Sekjang-Dong, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-Do, 780-714, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seok Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Herbology, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, 707, Sekjang-Dong, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-Do, 780-714, Republic of Korea; Korean Medicine R&D Center, Dongguk University, 707, Sekjang-Dong, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-Do, 780-714, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyo Won
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672, Yuseongdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-811, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Mi-Young
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672, Yuseongdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-811, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Won
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672, Yuseongdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-811, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seong Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.affiliation: Department of Herbology, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, 707, Sekjang-Dong, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-Do, 780-714, Republic of Korea; Korean Medicine R&D Center, Dongguk University, 707, Sekjang-Dong, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-Do, 780-714, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: yongki@dongguk.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Yong-Ki
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D034182:Cuscuta; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D051379:Mice; D017628:Microglia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D008517:Phytotherapy; D012639:Seeds; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D016328:NF-kappa B; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
keywords: Cuscuta chinensis; Cuscutae Semen; Inflammation; Microglia; NF-κB pathway