Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of Sophora flavescens root extraction in lipopolysaccharide-activated raw 264.7 cells

Abstract

Background: The macrophages activated by lipopolisaccharide produce numerous molecules and proteins, such as tumor necrotic factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-β, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and free radicals, associated with inflammation. The response was occurred by intracellular cascaded, NF-κB pathway. So, the regulation of this pathway is very important in control of inflammation. Objective: In this study, the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of Sophora flavescens that is used empirically in oriental medicine and folk remedy were evaluated and the mechanism of the effects was studied. Methods: By using the root extracts of Sophora flavescens, we performed experiment in LPS and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-activated Raw 264.7 cells. We measured the production of NO, PGE 2 and expression of iNOS and COX-2 in activated Raw 264.7 cells with Sophora flavescens root extract. Also, we tested anti-oxidant effect of Sophora flavescens root extracts by ELISA kit in activated Raw 264.7 cells, and the free radical scavenging effect of material itself by DPPH assay. Results: The Sophora flavescens root extracts decreased the production of NO (p<0.001) and PGE 2 (p<0.01) in Raw 264.7 cells activated by LPS and IFN-γ. The expression of proteins, iNOS and COX-2, suppressed along with the elevated concentration of Sophora flavescens root extracts. The result of DPPH assay was that the test material itself had scavenging effect for free radical (p<0.001). And the antioxidant activity in activated Raw 264.7 cells was increased with the level of the Sophora flavescens root extracts (p<0.05). Conclusion: The Sophora flavescens root extracts suppressed the production of NO and PGE 2 through the decreased expression of iNOS and COX-2. And the Sophora flavescens root extracts had the scavenging effect about free radicals itself and increased the antioxidant activity in activated macrophages.