Red Ginseng Marc Oil Inhibits iNOS and COX-2 via NFκB and p38 Pathways in LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of red ginseng marc oil (RMO) in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. RMO was prepared by a supercritical CO2 extraction of waste product generated after hot water extraction of red ginseng. RMO significantly inhibited the production of oxidative stress molecules such as nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Levels of inflammatory targets including prostaglandin E2, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 were also reduced after the treatment with RMO. In addition, RMO diminished the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase 2 at both mRNA and protein levels. Blockade of nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit of nuclear factor κB (NFκB) was also observed after the treatment of RMO. Furthermore, RMO decreased the phosphorylations of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and its upstream kinases including MAPK kinases 3/6 (MKK3/6) and TAK 1 (TGF-β activated kinase 1). Gas chromatographic analysis on RMO revealed that RMO contained about 10% phytosterols including sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol which may contribute to the anti-inflammatory properties of RMO. Taken together, these results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of RMO in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages could be associated with the inhibition of NFκB transcriptional activity, possibly via blocking the p38 MAPK pathway.

A new ursane triterpenoic acid and other potential anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic constituents from EtOAc extracts of Vitellaria paradoxa stem bark

“…Flavonoids, sterols, and triterpenoids compounds have anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the 5-lipoxygenase pathway, which together with the COX-2 pathway, is very important in producing and maintaining inflammation. This previously has been shown(Suh et al, 1998;Mosquera et al, 2011;Bak et al, 2012).…”

Anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities of girinimbine isolated from <em>Murraya koenigii</em>

“…Girinimbine was shown to have considerable antioxidant activity. Phytochemicals have been reported to suppress iNOS and COX-2 promoter activities and inhibit NF-κB nuclear translocation in LPS-treated cells 64. Pyrano [3,2-a] carbazoles such as girinimbine, isolated from plant species of the Rutaceae family, were reported to possess these anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities 65.…”

Protective Role of Nutritional Plants Containing Flavonoids in Hair Follicle Disruption: A Review

“…has been revealed to promote HG [52][53][54]. Treatment of mice with RGO upregulates Wnt/β-catenin and Shh/Gli-pathways-mediated expression of genes such as β-catenin, Lef-1, sonic hedgehog, Cyclin D1, and Cyclin E [55]. In addition, RGO and its major components downregulate TGF-β [56][57][58] and enhance antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression [55].…”

“…Treatment of mice with RGO upregulates Wnt/β-catenin and Shh/Gli-pathways-mediated expression of genes such as β-catenin, Lef-1, sonic hedgehog, Cyclin D1, and Cyclin E [55]. In addition, RGO and its major components downregulate TGF-β [56][57][58] and enhance antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression [55]. Matsuda H. et al, (2003) reported the promotion of HG by ginseng radix on cultured mouse vibrissal HF [59].…”