The stem-bark of Kalopanax pictus (KP, family Araliaceae), of which main constituent is
kalopanaxsaponin B, has been used for
asthma,
rhinitis, and
arthritis in
Chinese traditional medicine. To clarify anticolitic effect of KP, we examined anti-inflammatory effect of KP extract and
kalopanaxsaponin B in
lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated peritoneal macrophage and
2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitic mice. Of KP extracts, KP BuOH-soluble fraction most potently inhibited LPS-induced IL-1β,
IL-6 and TNF-α expression, as well as NF-κB activation. However, KP BuOH fraction increased
IL-10, an anti-inflammatory
cytokine. KP BuOH fraction also inhibited colon shortening and
myeloperoxidase activity in TNBS-induced colitic mice. KP BuOH fraction also potently inhibited the expression of the pro-inflammatory
cytokines, IL-1β,
IL-6 and TNF-α as well as the activation of NF-κB.
Kalopanaxsaponin B, a main constituent of KP, inhibited TNBS-induced colonic
inflammation, including colon shortening, and TNBS-increased
myeloperoxidase activity pro-inflammatory
cytokine expression and NF-κB activation in mice. Based on these findings, KP, particularly its main constituent,
kalopanaxsaponin B, may ameliorate
colitis by inhibiting NF-κB pathway.