Corydalis bungeana Turcz. attenuates LPS-induced inflammatory responses via the suppression of NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo

J Ethnopharmacol. 2016 Dec 24:194:153-161. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.09.013. Epub 2016 Sep 8.

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Corydalis bungeana Turcz. (C. bungeana) is one of traditionally used medicines in China and possesses various biological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial activity and inhibition of the immune function of the host.

Aim of the study: we studied the anti-inflammatory effect and molecular mechanism involved of C. bungeana both in vitro and in vivo model system in which the inflammatory response was induced by LPS treatment.

Materials and methods: Anti-inflammatory activity of C. bungeana was investigated by LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages and BALB/c mice. The production and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated by Griess reagent, ELISA kits and RT-qPCR, respectively. Phosphorylation status of IκBα and p65 was illustrated by western blot assay.

Results: C. bungeana reduced the secretion of NO, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β through inhibiting the protein expression of iNOS, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in vitro and in vivo. Western blot analysis suggested that C. bungeana supressed NF-κB activation via regulating the phosphorylation of IκBα and p65. Immunohistochemical assay also demostrated the histological inflammatory change in liver tissue.

Conclusions: The results indicate that C. bungeana supresses the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway through inhibiting phosphorylation of IκBα and p65, which results in good anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, C. bungeana attenuates inflammatory reaction by supressing the expression of various inflammatory cytokines both in vivo and in vitro.

Keywords: Acetonitrile (PubChem CID: 6342); Acetylcorynoline (PubChem CID: 177015); Anti-inflammatory; C. bungeana; Corynoline (PubChem CID: 177014); DMSO (PubChem CID: 679); Dihydrosanguinarine (PubChem CID: 124069); EtOH (PubChem CID: 702); NF-κB; NaNO(2) (PubChem CID: 23668193); Pro-inflammatory cytokines; Protopine (PubChem CID: 4970); Triethylamine (PubChem CID: 8471).

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Corydalis / chemistry*
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Inflammation / chemically induced
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides / toxicity*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B
  • Plant Extracts
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II