Planta Med 2009; 75(5): 494-500
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1185309
Pharmacology
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Lucidone Inhibits iNOS and COX-2 Expression in LPS-Induced RAW 264.7 Murine Macrophage Cells via NF-κB and MAPKs Signaling Pathways

K. J. Senthil Kumar1 , Sheng-Yang Wang1
  • 1Department of Forestry, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
Further Information

Publication History

received October 13, 2008 revised Nov. 29, 2008

accepted Dec. 4, 2008

Publication Date:
04 February 2009 (online)

Abstract

The anti-inflammatory mechanism of lucidone isolated from the fruits of Lindera erythrocarpa Makino was investigated. Our data indicate that lucidone significantly inhibits the production of NO and PGE2 autacoids in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells. Moreover, it also notably decreased the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Consistent with these observations, the mRNA and protein expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 were also inhibited by lucidone in a dose-dependent manner. Lucidone also reduced the translocation of NF-κB induced by LPS, which is associated with the prevention of the degradation of I-κB, and subsequently decreased p65/p50 protein levels in the nucleus. Lucidone also inhibited NF-κB activation by impairing the binding of NF-κB to its cis-acting element. In addition, lucidone inhibited JNK and p38MAPKs signals, which are the most significant signals involved in NO, PGE2 and TNF-α production; NF-κB/AP-1 activation was also inhibited by lucidone. Taken together, the anti-inflammatory activity of lucidone might be caused by the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expressions through downregulation of NF-κB and AP-1 binding.

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Dr. Sheng-Yang Wang

Department of Forestry
National Chung-Hsing University

250 Kuo-Kuang Road

Taichung 402

Taiwan

Phone: + 88 64 22 84 03 45 ext. 138

Fax: + 88 64 22 87 36 28

Email: taiwanfir@dragon.nchu.edu.tw