The Study on Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Taraxacum platycarpum H. Dahlstedt, Lonicera japonica Thunberg and Leonurus japonicus Houtt. Complex

Abstract

Objectives: This study was designed to experiment with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of <i>Taraxacum platycarpum</i> H. Dahlstedt, <i>Lonicera japonica</i> Thunberg, and <i>Leonurus japonicus</i> Houtt. complex (TLL) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cell.Methods: The antioxidant activity of TLL was measured by FRAP assay, DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of TLL were measured by using standard methods. The anti-inflammatory effects of TLL were measured by NO production, biomarker production (PGE<sub>2</sub>, IL-1<i>β</i>, IL-6, TNF-<i>α</i>), mRNA expression level (iNOS, COX-2, IL-1<i>β</i>, IL-6, TNF-<i>α</i>) and protein expression level (ERK, JNK, p38).Results: Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents in TLL were 58.03±1.02 ㎎ of Gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g and 16.58±0.60 mg of Quercetin equivalents (QE)/g respectively. In FRAP assay, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity, a concentration-dependent increase in TLL was observed. To explore antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of TLL, RAW 264.7 cells were treated with TLL and LPS for 24 hours. Cell viability of RAW 264.7 cells were measured by adding EZ-Cytox, It was remarkably increased at 50, 100, 200 ㎍/㎖ concentrations of TLL. NO, ROS, iNOS, IL-1<i>β</i>, IL-6, TNF-<i>α</i>, ERK, JNK and p38 were remarkably decreased at 50, 100, 200 ㎍/㎖ concentrations of TLL compared to the control group. PGE<sub>2</sub> and COX-2 were remarkably decreased at 100, 200 ㎍/㎖ concentrationsConclusion: These results suggest that TLL complex has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.