title: Total flavonoids ofHedyotis diffusaWilld inhibit inflammatory responses in LPS-activated macrophages via suppression of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.
abstract: Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways play a central role in inflammatory responses. Total flavonoids of Hedyotis diffusa Willd (TFHDW) are active compounds derived from Hedyotis diffusa Willd, which has been long used in Chinese traditional medicine for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases, including ulcerative colitis and bronchitis; however, the precise mechanisms underlying the effects of TFHDW are largely unknown. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory effect of TFHDW was evaluated and the underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated in anin vitroinflammatory model comprising lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The results indicated that TFHDW inhibited the inflammatory response as it significantly reduced the LPS-induced expression of pro-inflammatory nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β in a concentration-dependent manner, without causing cytotoxicity. In addition, the mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β was suppressed by treatment with TFHDW in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, TFHDW treatment significantly inhibited the LPS-induced activation of NF-κB via the suppression of inhibitor of κB (IκB) phosphorylation, and reduced the phosphorylation of MAPK signaling molecules (p38, c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2), which resulted in the inhibition of cytokine expression. These findings suggest that TFHDW exerted anti-inflammatory activity via suppression of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.
authors.affiliation: Research Base of TCM Syndrome, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P.R. China; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sanming First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Sanming, Fujian 365000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yunlong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Sanming Integrative Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sanming, Fujian 365000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yanyan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Research Base of TCM Syndrome, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yachan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Research Base of TCM Syndrome, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Candong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
keywords: Hedyotis diffusa Willd; MAPK; NF-κB; inflammation; traditional Chinese medicine