Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Aqueous Extract of Scolopendrae Corpus in RAW 264.7 Cells

Abstract

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous extract from Scolopendrae Corpus (SC) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response. Methods : To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of SC, we examined the inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-a, inteleukin (IL)- and IL-6) on RAW 264.7 cells. We also examined molecular mechanisms such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and inhibitory kappa B a (-Ba) using western blot. Furthermore, we also investigated the effect of SC on LPS-induced endotoxin shock. Results : Extract from SC itself had not any cytotoxic effect in RAW 264.7 cells. Aqueous extract from SC inhibited LPS-induced NO production and iNOS expression. SC pre-treatment also inhibited IL-, IL-6 production in RAW 264.7 cells. To investigate inhibitory effects of SC on inflammatory mediators, activation of MAPKs was examined. SC inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 kinases (p38), c-Jun -terminal kinase (JNK) and also the degradation of - in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with LPS. Furthermore, SC administration reduced LPS-induced endotoxin shock. Conclusion : SC down-regulated LPS-induced production of inflammatory mediators through inhibition of activation of p38, JNK and degradation of -. Taken together, our results suggest that SC may be a beneficial drug against inflammatory diseases such as sepsis.