Eucommiae cortex inhibits TNF-α and IL-6 through the suppression of caspase-1 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages

Am J Chin Med. 2012;40(1):135-49. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X12500115.

Abstract

Eucommiae cortex (EC) is used in various traditional Korean medicines in the form of tonics, analgesics, and sedatives. However, the underlying mechanism of its anti-inflammatory effect remains unclear. This study attempts to determine the effects of EC on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in mouse peritoneal macrophages. The findings of the study show that EC inhibits the LPS-induced production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6. Exposure to EC also reduces an inflammation-induced increase in the levels of cyclooxigenase-2 and the production of prostaglandin E(2) and nitric oxide in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Furthermore, EC suppresses the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B and caspase-1. These results provide novel insights into the pharmacological action of EC and indicate that EC has a potential in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Caspase Inhibitors*
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Dinoprostone / biosynthesis
  • Eucommiaceae*
  • Inflammation / chemically induced
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / biosynthesis*
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / drug effects
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / metabolism
  • Male
  • Medicine, Korean Traditional
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Bark
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Caspase Inhibitors
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Interleukin-6
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B
  • Plant Extracts
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Dinoprostone