HangAmDan-B, an ethnomedicinal herbal mixture, suppresses inflammatory responses by inhibiting Syk/NF-κB and JNK/ATF-2 pathways

J Med Food. 2013 Jan;16(1):56-65. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2012.2374. Epub 2012 Dec 20.

Abstract

HangAmDan-B (HAD-B) is a powdered mixture of eight ethnopharmacologically characterized folk medicines that is prescribed for solid masses and cancers in Korea. In view of the finding that macrophage-mediated inflammation is a pathophysiologically important phenomenon, we investigated whether HAD-B modulates inflammatory responses and explored the associated molecular mechanisms. The immunomodulatory activity of HAD-B in toll-like receptor-activated macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was assessed by measuring nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) levels. To identify the specific transcription factors (such as nuclear factor [NF]-κB and signaling enzymes) targeted by HAD-B, biochemical approaches, including kinase assays and immunoblot analysis, were additionally employed. HAD-B suppressed the production of PGE(2) and NO in LPS-activated macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the extract ameliorated HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis symptoms. Moreover, HAD-B significantly inhibited LPS-induced mRNA expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. Interestingly, marked inhibition of NF-κB and activating transcription factor was observed in the presence of HAD-B. Data from direct kinase assays and immunoblot analysis showed that HAD-B suppresses activation of the upstream signaling cascade involving spleen tyrosine kinase, Src, p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1. Finally, kaempferol, but not quercetin or resveratrol was identified as a bioactive compound in HAD-B. Therefore, our results suggest that HAD-B possesses anti-inflammatory activity that contributes to its anticancer property.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activating Transcription Factor 2 / genetics
  • Activating Transcription Factor 2 / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Inflammation / enzymology
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / immunology*
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / genetics
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / immunology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • NF-kappa B / genetics
  • NF-kappa B / immunology*
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / immunology*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Syk Kinase

Substances

  • Activating Transcription Factor 2
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Atf2 protein, mouse
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • NF-kappa B
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • SYK protein, human
  • Syk Kinase
  • Syk protein, mouse
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4