Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Extracts of Inonotus obliquus and Microalgae

Abstract

Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) and marine microalgae are two emerging natural products with many potential physiological health benefits. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of two extracts prepared from Chaga mushroom and microalgae using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell model. The Chaga mushroom extract dose-dependently reduced the production of proinflammatory biomarkers of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). At a high concentration of 500 µg/L, Chaga mushroom extract significantly suppressed cyclooxygenase-2 levels. Similarly, the extract of microalgae suppressed the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α by lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophages. Both extracts had no significant impact on the secretion of anti-inflammatory IL-4 production. These results suggest that extracts of Chaga mushroom and microalgae can be used in developing anti-inflammatory natural health products.