| Abstract | BACKGROUND: Melilotus suaveolens Ledeb (M. suaveolens Ledeb) has long been used as a folk medicine in inflammation-related therapy. This study was undertaken to determine the anti-inflammatory effect of the plant. METHODS: Petroleum ether fraction, ethyl acetate fraction, n-butanol fraction, aqueous fraction were obtained from ethanol extract of M. suaveolens Ledeb and evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). While dexamethasone (DM) was used as a positive control, the effects of different solution fractions of ethanol extract on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) mRNA, COX-2 and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) of LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were studied by real-time PCR, Western blot analysis and immunocytochemical assay, respectively. RESULTS: Coumarin was one of the main ingredients in different solution fractions of ethanol extract except the aqueous fraction with no inflammatory effect. The petroleum ether fraction, ethyl acetate fraction and n-butanol fraction of ethanol extract could inhibit the production of TNF-alpha mRNA, COX-2 mRNA and NF-kappaB to some extent. CONCLUSIONS: Different solution fractions of ethanol extract from M. suaveolens Ledeb had similar anti-inflammatory effect as did dexamethasone except the aqueous fraction. Coumarin was likely to be essential to the anti-inflammatory effect, and other ingredients might attribute to their different anti-inflammatory effects from the HPLC fingerprint. |
| Authors | Xiao-yu Zhang, Jun-yan Tao, Lei Zhao, Zhi-jun Huang, Fu-liang Xiong, Shu-ling Zhang, Chong-ming Li, Fei Xiao
(Affiliation: College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China. zhangxiaoyu at mail.hust.edu.cn)
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| Journal | Chinese medical journal
(Chin Med J (Engl))
Vol. 120
Issue 22
Pg. 1992-8
(Nov 20 2007)
ISSN: 0366-6999 China |
| PMID | 18067784
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
|
| Chemical References |
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
- Lipopolysaccharides
- NF-kappa B
- Plant Extracts
- RNA, Messenger
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
- Cyclooxygenase 2
|
| Topics |
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
(pharmacology)
- Cell Line
- Cyclooxygenase 2
(genetics)
- Lipopolysaccharides
(pharmacology)
- Melilotus
(chemistry)
- Mice
- NF-kappa B
(antagonists & inhibitors)
- Plant Extracts
(analysis, pharmacology)
- RNA, Messenger
(analysis)
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
(genetics)
|
