생쥐에서 급성 폐렴에 대한 여정자 열매 추출물의 억제효과

Abstract

Traditionally, Ligustrum lucidum fruits (LL) is one of the well-known oriental herb used in the treatment of skin and lung inflammation. This study investigated anti-inflammatory effects of LL in the pathogenesis of acute pulmonary inflammation in mice. Acute pulmonary inflammation was induced by intratracheal instillation of cigarette smoke conden- sate (CSC) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 5 times within 12 days in mice. LL extract was administered orally at a dose of 50 or 200 ㎎/㎏. Administration of LPS and CSC significantly elevated airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to mice, and increased in the levels of inflammatory cells and mediators in mice. However, the LL extract significantly reduced the elevated AHR, and the increase of neutrophils, CD4 + /CD3 + cells and CD8 + /CD3 + cells, along with reducing the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and MIP-2. Moreover, the LL extract alleviated the infiltration of inflammatory cells in expanded airway walls histo- logically. These results indicate that the LL extract has an inhibitory effects on acute pulmonary inflammation and AHR in murine model, and plays a crucial role as a immunomodulator which possess anti-inflammatory property.