The anti-inflammatory activities of Ainsliaea fragrans Champ. extract and its components in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages through inhibition of NF-κB pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Ainsliaea fragrans Champ. (A. fragrans) is a traditional Chinese herbal that contains components like 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid. It exhibits anti-inflammatory activities which has been used for the treatment of gynecological diseases for many years in China. The aims of the present study were to investigate the anti-inflammatory activities of A. fragrans and elucidate the underlying mechanisms with regard to its molecular basis of action for the best component. Materials and methods: The anti-inflammatory effects of A. fragrans were studied by using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated activation of nitric oxide (NO) in mouse RAW264.7 macrophages. Expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, inhibitory kappa B alpha (I kappa B alpha) degradation and nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B p65 were further investigated. Results: The present study demonstrated that A. fragrans could suppress the production of NO in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Further investigations showed A. fragrans could suppress iNOS expression. A. fragrans also inhibited the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6. A. fragrans significantly decreased the degradation of I kappa B alpha, reduced the level of nuclear translocation of p65. All these results suggested the inhibitory effects of A. fragrans on the production of inflammatory mediators through the inhibition of the NF-kappa B activation pathway. Conclusion: Our results indicated that A. fragrans inhibited inflammatory events and iNOS expression in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells through the inactivation of NF-kappa B pathway. This study gives scientific evidence that validate the use of A. fragrans in treatment of patients with gynecological diseases in clinical practice in traditional Chinese medicine. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.