• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.783-789
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• 2017

Malus melliana (Hand.-Mazz.) Rehder (M. melliana) is a Chinese plant that belongs to the Rosaceae family. There have been no previous reports regarding its bioactivity. In this study, the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of M. melliana ethanol extract (MMEE) were evaluated using a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity assay, nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity assay, and the analysis of related protein expressions through Western blot hybridization. MMEE showed potent scavenging activity against DPPH, similar to ascorbic acid, a well-known anti-oxidative agent, which was used as a positive control. MMEE also inhibited hydrogen peroxide-induced ROS in RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, MMEE induced the expression of an anti-oxidative enzyme, heme oxygenase 1, and its upstream transcription factor, nuclear factor E2-related factor-2, in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, MMEE was associated with a reduction in NO production, which was induced by the lipopolysaccharide treatment of RAW 264.7 cells. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, which is the upstream regulator of NO production, was also inhibited. Taken together, these results suggest that MMEE has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, thus appearing to be a potential anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. The further identification of active compounds that confer the biological activities of MMEE may be necessary.