Anti-inflammatory Activity of Philadelphus schrenkii Methanol Extract in Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 Cells

Background: Philadelphus schrenkii Rupr. is a widespread in East Asia and has historically been used as a medicinal herb in Korea to reduce heat, swelling, and pain. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of P. schrenkii methanol extract (PSE) on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.BRMethods and Results: PSE inhibited the expression of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 at concentrations that did not affect cell viability as determined by the tetrazolium salt (WST-1) assay. The quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay measured that pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and monocyte chemoattracted protein-1, were decreased in PSE-treated groups. Western blotting confirmed that PSE inhibited the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B and mitogen-activated protein kinases. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of active anti-inflammatory compounds in PSE.BRConclusions: This study demonstrated that PSE has potent anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and provides a reasonable basis for the traditional use of P. schrenkii in treating inflammation-related diseases.