title: In vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of Zao-Jiao-Ci (the spine of Gleditsia sinensis Lam.) aqueous extract and its mechanisms of action.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Zao-Jiao-Ci (ZJC), as the spine of Chinese Honey locust (Gleditsia sinensis Lam.), is traditionally used as Chinese medicine to reduce inflammation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to investigate an anti-inflammatory effect of ZJC aqueous extract both in vitro and in vivo, as well as its underlying mechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anti-inflammatory effect of ZJC aqueous extract was evaluated by using carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. In addition, the inhibitory effects of ZJC on nitric oxide production, intracellular reactive oxygen species production, pro-inflammatory mediator expression and prostaglandin E2(PGE2) production were determined by using LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. The anti-oxidant activity of ZJC was assessed using 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ZJC aqueous extract showed significant suppressive effect on paw edema in rats at 100mg/kg. Moreover, ZJC aqueous extract decreased the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and significantly decreased the PGE2, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 production in LPS-activated macrophages in dose-dependent manners. ZJC aqueous extract inhibited the mRNA expression of these inflammatory cytokines as well. Furthermore, ZJC aqueous extract was found as an anti-oxidant and could inhibit ROS production in the LPS-induced cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings show the potential of ZJC aqueous extract as a naturally occurring COX-2 inhibitor to reduce inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China. Electronic address: likaicuhk@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kai Kai
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China. Electronic address: peterxlzhou@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Xuelin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China. Electronic address: vhlwong@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Hing Lok
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China. Electronic address: ncf0000@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Chun Fai
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Institute Guangzhou of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: wm.fu@giat.ac.cn.
authors.forename: Wei Ming
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China. Electronic address: pingcleung@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Ping Chung
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, Guangdong Province Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: zypgy@126.com.
authors.forename: Guiyuan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China. Electronic address: gohey@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Chun Hay
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Ko
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002351:Carrageenan; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D031501:Gleditsia / Q000737:chemistry*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D000067996:RAW 264.7 Cells; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001578:Benzopyrans; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016207:Cytokines; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012997:Solvents; C000617299:Zao-Jiao-Ci; D014867:Water; D002351:Carrageenan; C077623:Ptgs2 protein, mouse; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D015232:Dinoprostone
keywords: Anti-inflammation; Anti-oxidative; COX-2 inhibitor; Carrageenan-induced paw edema; Gleditsia sinensis Lam.