Anti-inflammatory effect of extract of Pulsatilla koreana $N_{AKAI}$ in LPS-stimulated Murine peritoneal macrophage

LPS 로 활성화된 복강 대식세포에서 백두옹 추출물의 항염증 효과

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of extract from Pulsatilla koreana $N_{AKAI}$ (PK) on the peritoneal macrophage. Methods : To evaluate of anti-inflammatory of PK, we examined cytokines and NO production in lipopolysacchride (LPS)-induced macrophages. Furthermore, we examined molecular mechanism using western blot. Results : 1.Extract from PK reduced LPS-induced NO, tumor necrosis factor-a ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-12 production in peritoneal macrophages. 2.Extract from PK itself does not have any cytotoxic effect. PK inhibited the activation of extracelluar signal-regulated kinase(ERK 1/2) but not another mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as p38, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and the degradation of inhibitory kappa B a ($I_{k}B_{a}$) does not any effect in the LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages. Conclusion : PK down-regulated LPS-induced NO and cytokines production, which may be provide a clinical basis for anti-inflammatory properties of PK.