Anti-inflammatory effects of Hylomecon hylomeconoides in RAW 264.7 cells

H.S. Chae, O.H. Kang, J.H. Keum, S.B. Kim, S.H. Mun, Y.S. Seo, M.R. Kim, J.G. Choi, D.W. Shin*, Y.C. Oh**, J.Y. Ma**, D.Y. Kwon

Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Wonkwang Oriental Medicines Research Institute Jeonbuk (Republic of Korea)

*Department of Oriental Medicine Resources, Sunchon National University, Jeonnam (Republic of Korea)

**Center for Herbal Medicine Improvement Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon (Republic of Korea)

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• Phytomedicine

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Papaveraceae serve as a rich source of various alkaloids which have anti-inflammatory effect.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we investigated the effect of Hylomecon hylomeconoides ethanol extract (HHE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO and interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in RAW 264.7 cells.

RESULTS: HHE inhibited LPS-induced NO and IL-6 production. Moreover, HHE suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, major constituents, dihydrosanguinarine and 6-methoxydihydrosanguinarine, of the chloroform-soluble extract were analyzed.

CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the results of this study indicate that the anti-inflammatory effects of HHE may occur via the inhibition of NO and IL-6 expression through the down-regulation of MAP kinase (ERK1/2, p38) phosphorylation in RAW 264.7 cells.

Corresponding Author: Dong-Yeul Kwon, Ph.D.; e-mail: sssimi@wku.ac.kr