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Planta Med 1999; 65(2): 104-108
DOI: 10.1055/s-1999-13968
Original Paper

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

A Sesquiterpene, Dehydrocostus Lactone, Inhibits the Expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase and TNF-α in LPS-Activated Macrophages

Hwa Jin Lee1 , Nam Yi Kim1 , Mi Kyung Jang1 , Haeng Ja Son1 , Kyung Mi Kim2 , Dong Hwang Sohn2 , Soo Hwan Lee3 , Jae-Ha Ryu1
  • 1College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Korea
  • 2College of Pharmacy and Medicinal Resources Research Center, Wonkwang University, Iksan-City, Geonbuk, Korea
  • 3Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea
Further Information

Publication History

April 14, 1998

August 2, 1998

Publication Date:
31 December 1999 (online)

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Abstract:

Nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) are the major mediators produced in activated macrophages which contribute to the circulatory failure associated with septic shock. A sesquiterpene lactone compound (dehydrocostus lactone) isolated from the medicinal plant, Saussurea lappa, inhibited the production of NO in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 cells by suppressing inducible nitric oxide synthase enzyme expression. This compound also decreased the TNF-α level in LPS-activated systems in vitro and in vivo. Thus, dehydrocostus lactone may be a possible candidate for the development of new drugs to treat endotoxemia accompanied by the overproduction of NO and TNF-αostus lactone.

Key words:

Saussurea lappa - Compositae - nitric oxide synthase - tumor necrosis factor - sesquiterpene lactone - dehydroc