Myrrh mediates haem oxygenase-1 expression to suppress the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in RAW264.7 macrophages

Yu Wen Cheng, Khoot Peng Cheah, Che-Wei Lin, Joe Sharg Li, Wen Yu Yu, Ming Long Chang, Geng Chang Yeh, Sheng-Hsuan Chen, Cheuk-Sing Choy, Chien-Ming Hu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives To elucidate a novel anti-inflammatory mechanism of myrrh against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. Methods RAW264.7 macrophages were cultured in DMEM and then cells were treated with LPS or LPS plus a myrrh methanol extract (MME) for 24 h. The culture medium was collected for determination of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin (PG)E 2, interleukin (IL)-1β, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and cells were harvested by lysis buffer for Western blot analysis. Key findings Our data showed that treatment with the MME (1∼100 μg/ml) did not cause cytotoxicity or activate haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein synthesis in RAW264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, the MME inhibited LPS-stimulated NO, PGE 2, IL-1β and TNF-α release and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein expression. Zn(II) protoporphyrin IX, a specific inhibitor of HO-1, blocked the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression by the MME. Conclusions These results suggest that among mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory response, the MME inhibited the production of NO, PGE 2, IL-1β and TNF-α by downregulating iNOS and COX-2 gene expression in macrophages and worked through the action of HO-1.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1211-1218
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
Volume63
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2011

Keywords

  • cyclooxygenase-2
  • haem oxygenase-1
  • inducible nitric oxide synthase
  • lipopolysaccharide
  • myrrh

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmaceutical Science

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