Abstract | BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Glycyrrhizae radix has been widely used as a cytoprotective, plant-derived medicine. We have identified a flavanoid, liquiritigenin, as an active component in extracts of Glycyrrhizae radix. This research investigated the effects of liquiritigenin on the induction of inducible NOS (iNOS) and proinflammatory cytokines by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in Raw264.7 cells, and on paw oedema in rats. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: iNOS expression was determined by western blotting, real-time reverse transcription-PCR and reporter gene analyses. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6 were assayed by ELISA. Gel shift assay and immunoblotting were used to assess NF-kappaB activation. The effect of liquiritigenin on acute inflammation in vivo was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw oedema. KEY RESULTS: CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: These results demonstrate that liquiritigenin exerts anti-inflammatory effects, which results from the inhibition of NF-kappaB activation in macrophages, thereby decreasing production of iNOS and proinflammatory cytokines. Our findings showing inhibition by liquiritigenin of paw oedema as well as inflammatory gene induction will help to understand the pharmacology and mode of action of liquiritigenin, and of the anti-inflammatory use of Glycyrrhizae radix.
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Authors | Y W Kim, R J Zhao, S J Park, J R Lee, I J Cho, C H Yang, S G Kim, S C Kim |
Journal | British journal of pharmacology
(Br J Pharmacol)
Vol. 154
Issue 1
Pg. 165-73
(May 2008)
ISSN: 0007-1188 [Print] England |
PMID | 18332856
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
- Cytokines
- Flavanones
- Hypolipidemic Agents
- Interleukin-1beta
- Interleukin-6
- NF-kappa B
- Nitrites
- Tetrazolium Salts
- Thiazoles
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
- Glycyrrhizic Acid
- Carrageenan
- Luciferases
- Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
- thiazolyl blue
- liquiritigenin
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Topics |
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
(therapeutic use)
- Blotting, Western
- Carrageenan
- Cell Line
- Cytokines
(antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis)
- Densitometry
- Edema
(chemically induced, prevention & control)
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Flavanones
(therapeutic use)
- Glycyrrhizic Acid
(therapeutic use)
- Hypolipidemic Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Interleukin-1beta
(antagonists & inhibitors)
- Interleukin-6
(biosynthesis)
- Luciferases
(biosynthesis, genetics)
- Macrophages
(drug effects, metabolism)
- Mice
- NF-kappa B
(antagonists & inhibitors)
- Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
(antagonists & inhibitors)
- Nitrites
(metabolism)
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Tetrazolium Salts
- Thiazoles
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
(antagonists & inhibitors)
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