Heracleum moellendorffii roots inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory mediators through the inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK signaling, and activation of ROS/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells

• Published in: BMC complementary and alternative medicine 2019-11, Vol.19 (1)
• Main Authors: Kim, Ha Na, Kim, Jeong Dong, Yeo, Joo Ho, Son, Ho-Jun, Park, Su Bin, Park, Gwang Hun, Eo, Hyun Ji, Jeong, Jin Boo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Anti-inflammatory agents; Arthritis; Back pain; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; High performance liquid chromatography; Inflammation; Messenger RNA; Prostaglandins; RNA
• ISSN: 1472-6882; 1472-6882
• DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2735-x

Background Heracleum moellendorffii roots (HM-R) have been long treated for inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, backache and fever. However, an anti-inflammatory effect and the specific mechanism of HM-R were not yet clear. In this study, we for the first time explored the anti-inflammatory of HM-R. Methods The cytotoxicity of HM-R against RAW264.7 cells was evaluated using MTT assay. The inhibition of NO and PGE.sub.2 production by HM-R was evaluated using Griess reagent and Prostaglandin E.sub.2 ELISA Kit, respectively. The changes in mRNA or protein level following HM-R treatment were assessed by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. Results HM-R dose-dependently blocked LPS-induced NO and PGE.sub.2 production. In addition, HM-R inhibited LPS-induced overexpression of iNOS, COX-2, IL-1[beta] and IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells. HM-R inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB signaling activation through blocking IκB-[alpha] degradation and p65 nuclear accumulation. Furthermore, HM-R inhibited MAPK signaling activation by attenuating the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK. HM-R increased nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 and HO-1 expression. However, NAC reduced the increased nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 and HO-1 expression by HM-R. In HPLC analysis, falcarinol was detected from HM-R as an anti-inflammatory compound. Conclusions These results indicate that HM-R may exert anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting NF-κB and MAPK signaling, and activating ROS/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling. These findings suggest that HM-R has a potential as a natural material for the development of anti-inflammatory drugs. Keywords: Anti-inflammation, Heracleum moellendorffii, Inflammatory diseases, Inflammatory response