Potent Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Actions of the Chloroform Extract of Dendropanax morbifera Mediated by the Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway

Biol Pharm Bull. 2016;39(5):728-36. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b15-00823.

Abstract

Dendropanax morbifera LEVEILLE (DP) has been used in traditional Korean medicines to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases. Although the in vitro anti-inflammatory potential of this plant is understood, its in vivo efficacy and underlying molecular mechanism of anti-inflammatory effects are largely unknown. We elucidated the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities and the underlying molecular mechanisms of DP using in vitro and in vivo models. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophages were used to analyze the in vitro anti-inflammatory potential of DP extract and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. In vivo animal models of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear edema and acetic acid-induced writhing response tests were used to analyze the in vivo anti-inflammatory effects and anti-nociceptive effects of DP extract, respectively. Methanolic extract of DP (DPME) significantly inhibited the release of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in LPS-activated macrophages. Among the five sub-fractions, the chloroform fraction (DP-C) showed the most potent suppressive effects against pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines in LPS-stimulated macrophages. These effects were attributed to inhibition of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) nuclear translocation and c-Jun N terminal kinase (JNK) 1/2 phosphorylation and to activation of NF-E2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) signaling. DP-C exhibited strong protective in vivo effects in TPA-induced ear edema mouse model and acetic acid-induced writhing response test. Our data suggest that DP-C has potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities and may be a promising treatment against a variety of inflammatory diseases.

MeSH terms

  • Acetic Acid
  • Analgesics* / pharmacology
  • Analgesics* / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Araliaceae*
  • Chloroform / chemistry
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dinoprostone / metabolism
  • Ear / pathology
  • Edema / chemically induced
  • Edema / drug therapy
  • Heme Oxygenase-1 / metabolism*
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Nitrites / metabolism
  • Pain / chemically induced
  • Pain / drug therapy
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts* / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts* / therapeutic use
  • Plant Leaves
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • Solvents / chemistry
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Membrane Proteins
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • NF-kappa B
  • Nitrites
  • Plant Extracts
  • Solvents
  • Chloroform
  • Heme Oxygenase-1
  • Hmox1 protein, mouse
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4
  • Dinoprostone
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate
  • Acetic Acid