Eleocharis kuroguwai Ohwi ameliorates LPS-mediated inflammation by suppressing MAPKs signaling = LPS로 유도된 염증 상태 내에서 MAPKs 세포신호 전달체계를 저해하는 올방개의 항염증 효과

Abstract

In rice agriculture, Eleocharis kuroguwai Ohwi (olbanggae) is a target for herbicidal intervention as a problem weed although it has also long been used clinically as a traditional medicine for jaundice, fever, and blood flow. E. kuroguwai has been evaluated in many clinical trials, but its molecular biological advantages are still unknown. Here, we investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of E. kuroguwai 80% ethanol extracts by screening NO production in LPS-induced macrophage activation. To find the most effective fractions, we partitioned five sub-fractions using HP20 column chromatography, namely 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%. Of these, the 60% and 80% sub-fractions were found to significantly inhibit NO production; there were no toxicological effects at any concentration. In addition, the 80% sub-fraction inhibited significantly the iNOS and the mRNA of the pro-inflammatory mediators IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β by inhibiting the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK pathways associated with MAPKs signaling. Our results suggest that the 80% E. kuroguwai sub-fraction has the most significant anti-inflammatory effects of inhibiting iNOS and pro-inflammatory mediators and suppressing the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK. Therefore, the 80% sub-fraction of E. kuroguwai extract may be a therapeutic candidate for inflammatory diseases associated with the overexpression of MAPKs.