Abstract |
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is commonly used as a traditional medicine and functional food. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of alfalfa and the mechanisms involved. The chloroform extract of alfalfa aerial parts inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated immune responses more than ether, butanol, or water soluble extracts. Treatment with 1 μg/mL LPS increased nitrite concentrations to 44.3 μM in RAW267.4 macrophages, but it was reduced to 10.6 μM by adding 100 μg/mL chloroform extract. LPS treatment also increased the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β to 41.3, 11.6, and 0.78 ng/mL in culture supernatants of the cells, but these cytokine levels decreased to 12.5, 3.1, and 0.19 ng/mL, respectively, by pretreating with 100 μg/mL of the extract. ICR mice injected with LPS (30 mg/kg body weight) alone showed a 0% survival rate after 48 h of the injection, but 48-h survival of the mice increased to 60% after oral administration of the extract. Subfractions of the chloroform extract markedly suppressed LPS-mediated activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase and nuclear factor kappa-B. Cinnamic acid derivatives and fatty acids were found to be active constituents of the extract. This research demonstrated that alfalfa aerial parts exert anti-inflammatory activity and may be useful as a functional food for the prevention of inflammatory disorders.
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Authors | Ki-Choon Choi, Jung-Min Hwang, Sung-Jun Bang, Beom-Tae Kim, Dong-Hern Kim, Minseon Chae, Seung-Ah Lee, Gi Jun Choi, Da Hye Kim, Jeong-Chae Lee |
Journal | Journal of medicinal food
(J Med Food)
Vol. 16
Issue 5
Pg. 410-20
(May 2013)
ISSN: 1557-7600 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 23631491
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents
- Cytokines
- Lipopolysaccharides
- NF-kappa B
- Plant Extracts
- Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
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Topics |
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents
(administration & dosage, isolation & purification)
- Cell Line
- Cytokines
(genetics, immunology)
- Down-Regulation
(drug effects)
- Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
(genetics, immunology)
- Female
- Humans
- Inflammation
(drug therapy, genetics, immunology)
- Lipopolysaccharides
(adverse effects)
- Macrophages
(drug effects, immunology)
- Medicago sativa
(chemistry)
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred ICR
- NF-kappa B
(genetics, immunology)
- Plant Extracts
(administration & dosage, isolation & purification)
- Signal Transduction
(drug effects)
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