Artemisia asiaticaNakai Attenuates the Expression of Proinflammatory Mediators in Stimulated Macrophages Through Modulation of Nuclear Factor-κB and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathways

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the anti-inflammatory effects and potential mechanism of action of Artemisia asiatica Nakai (A. asiatica Nakai) extract in activated murine macrophages. A. asiatica Nakai extract showed dosedependent suppression of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 activity. It also showed dose-dependent inhibition of nuclear factor-jB (NF-jB) translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus and as an inhibitor of NF-jB-alpha phosphorylation. The extract's inhibitory effects were found to be mediated through NF-jB inhibition and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and p38 in LPS-stimulated J774A.1 murine macrophages, suggesting a potential mechanism for the anti-inflammatory activity of A. asiatica Nakai. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the anti-inflammatory effects of A. asiatica Nakai on J774A.1 murine macrophages; these results may help develop functional foods possessing an anti-inflammatory activity.

Eupatilin exerts neuroprotective effects in mice with transient focal cerebral ischemia by reducing microglial activation

“…The therapeutic potential of A . Nakai for various diseases, including gastric ulcer, liver injury, and pancreatic damage, is related to its anti-inflammatory effects [ 1 – 5 ], likely by regulating nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathways [ 6 ]. These translational researches led to the clear success, Stillen ™ that is the formulated extract of A .…”