1. Eucommiae cortex inhibits TNF-α and IL-6 through the suppression of caspase-1 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages.
- Author
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Kim MC, Kim DS, Kim SJ, Park J, Kim HL, Kim SY, Ahn KS, Jang HJ, Lee SG, Lee KM, Hong SH, and Um JY
- Subjects
- Animals, Anti-Inflammatory Agents pharmacology, Cyclooxygenase 2 metabolism, Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors pharmacology, Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors therapeutic use, Dinoprostone biosynthesis, Inflammation chemically induced, Inflammation metabolism, Inflammation Mediators metabolism, Lipopolysaccharides, Macrophages, Peritoneal drug effects, Macrophages, Peritoneal metabolism, Male, Medicine, Korean Traditional, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, NF-kappa B metabolism, Nitric Oxide biosynthesis, Plant Bark, Plant Extracts pharmacology, Plant Extracts therapeutic use, Anti-Inflammatory Agents therapeutic use, Caspase Inhibitors, Eucommiaceae, Inflammation prevention & control, Interleukin-6 biosynthesis, Phytotherapy, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha biosynthesis
- Abstract
Eucommiae cortex (EC) is used in various traditional Korean medicines in the form of tonics, analgesics, and sedatives. However, the underlying mechanism of its anti-inflammatory effect remains unclear. This study attempts to determine the effects of EC on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in mouse peritoneal macrophages. The findings of the study show that EC inhibits the LPS-induced production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6. Exposure to EC also reduces an inflammation-induced increase in the levels of cyclooxigenase-2 and the production of prostaglandin E(2) and nitric oxide in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Furthermore, EC suppresses the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B and caspase-1. These results provide novel insights into the pharmacological action of EC and indicate that EC has a potential in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
- Published
- 2012
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