Inhibitory Effects of Salidroside on Nitric Oxide and Prostaglandin E2Production in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of salidroside on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production in RAW 264.7 macrophages and related anti-inflammatory mechanism. PGE₂ production was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); NO production was tested by Griess reagent. Inducible nitric oxidesynthase (iNOS) and COX-2 were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis; IκB and P-IκB protein express were detected by Western blot analysis; cytosolic free Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺](i)) was measured by a fluorescent microscope. The data showed salidroside inhibited LPS-induced NO and PGE₂ production and reduced iNOS and COX-2 protein expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Consistent with these observations, salidroside inhibited LPS-induced cytosolic free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺](i)) elevation. In addition, we further investigated signal transduction mechanisms and found that the activation of NF-κB was suppressed by salidroside in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that salidroside suppresses NO and PGE₂ production by inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 protein expression, level of [Ca²⁺](i), and activation of NF-κB signal transduction pathway.