Picrasma quassioides inhibits LPS- and IFN-gamma-stimulated nitric oxide production and inflammatory response in RAW264.7 macrophage cells

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Picrasma quassioides (P. quassioides) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and interferon (IFN)-gamma-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. P. quassioides has been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of gastro-enteritis, eczema, and snakebite. P. quassioides significantly decreased LPS- and IFN-gamma-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production in a concentration-dependent manner. Real-time PCR or Western blotting confirmed that the expression of the extra-cellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p42 and, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), c-Jun N-terminal kinase, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mediated MAPK signaling pathways in LPS- and IFN-gamma-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Mechanistic studies revealed the activities of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B). As P. quassioides regulated the gene expression of iNOS and COX-2 in RAW264.7 cells, it might be a promising agent for the prevention and/or treatment of various inflammatory diseases.