Boehmeria niveaattenuates LPS-induced inflammatory markers by inhibiting p38 and JNK phosphorylations in RAW264.7 macrophages

Abstract

Context: Boehmeria nivea (Linn.) Gaudich (Urticaceae), a natural herb, has a long history of treating several diseases including wound healing. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of B. nivea has not been investigated. Objective: We investigated whether the 70% ethanol extract of B. nivea (Ebn) can exert antiinflammatory activity. Several phenolic compounds of extracts were determined to provide further information on the correlation between anti-inflammatory effects and phenolic compounds. Materials and methods: We prepared a 70% ethanol extract of B. nivea leaves and evaluated its anti-inflammatory activity (200, 400, 800, 1200 mg/mL) by measuring the secretions of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), which were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW264.7 macrophages. The total phenolic compounds were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and major compounds were determined by HPLC. Results: Ebn was able to abolish the LPS-induced secretions of NO, TNF-a and IL-6. It also decreased the protein levels (IC 50 ¼ 186 mg/mL) of LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The LPS stimulated p38, JNK and ERK phosphorylations significantly more than the controls. Surprisingly, although Ebn reduced p38 and JNK phosphorylations, it did not influence ERK phosphorylation. We found that Ebn revealed several major compounds such as chlorogenic acid (1.96 mg/100 g), rutin (46.48 mg/100 g), luteolin-7-glucoside (11.29 mg/100 g), naringin (1.13 mg/100 g), hesperidin (23.69 mg/100 g) and tangeretin (1.59 mg/100 g). Discussion and conclusion: Boehmeria nivea exerts an anti-inflammatory effect on macrophages by inhibiting p38 and JNK, suggesting that it may be used as a functional ingredient against inflammation.

Boehmeria niveaStimulates Glucose Uptake by Activating Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma in C2C12 Cells and Improves Glucose Intolerance in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

“…Through cell and animal experiments, we demonstrated the precise antidiabetic efficacy of B. nivea and the mechanisms underlying the effect. The total phenolic content of EBN was 3640 mg/100 g. Several phenolic compounds such as rutin (46.48 mg/100 g), chlorogenic acid (1.96 mg/100 g), luteolin-7-glucoside (11.29 mg/100 g), naringin (1.13 mg/100 g), hesperidin (23.69 mg/100 g), and tangeretin (1.59 mg/100 g) have already been found in EBN [17]. …”

Transcriptome Assembly of the Bast Fiber Crop, Ramie, Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud. (Urticaceae)

“…While linen and hemp harvesting rely on the microbial retting (degradation) of pectins, ramie is normally extracted by decorticating fresh stems to produce bark ribbons that are subsequently dried, scraped, and de-gummed. Extracts of various parts of the ramie plant have also been reported to have beneficial medicinal properties, including antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities [5][6][7].…”

Boehmeria niveaAttenuates the Development of Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Experimental Colitis

“…Our previous work suggested that B. nivea has an anti-inflammatory effect on LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages by reducing cytokine levels [8]. Thus, we investigated whether B. nivea has an inhibitory effect on an IBD, UC, by using an experimental colitis mouse model.…”

“…Gaudich (Urticaceae) is a flowering plant that is traditionally used to treat several diseases and heal wounds in Asian countries including China, Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand [7, 8]. Previously, we showed that B. nivea reduces lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced secretion of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF- α and IL-6 through the inhibition of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) [8]; however, the ability of B. nivea to control the effects of DSS-induced colitis has not been investigated. The results of our previous work prompted us to determine whether B. nivea exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect in DSS-induced colitis model mice.…”