Protective Effects of Morus Root Extract (MRE) Against Lipopolysaccharide-Activated RAW264.7 Cells and CCl4-Induced Mouse Hepatic Damage

Abstract

Background/Aims: Inflammation is one of the main contributors to chronic diseases such as cancer. It is of great value to identify the potential activity of various medicinal plants for regulating or blocking uncontrolled chronic inflammation. We investigated whether the root extract of Morus australis possesses antiinflammatory and antioxidative stress potential and hepatic protective activity. Methods: The microwave-assisted extractionwere was used to prepare the ethanol extract from the dried root of Morus australis (MRE), including polyphenolic and flavonoid contents. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells was examined the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative potential of MRE. CCl₄-induced mouse hepatic damage were performed to detect the hepatic protective potential in vivo. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blot assays were used to detect target proteins. Results: MRE contained approximately 23% phenolic compounds and 3% flavonoids. The major flavonoid component of MRE was morusin. MRE and morusin inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced production of nitrite and prostaglandin E2 in RAW264.7 cells. MRE and morusin also suppressed the formation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and the expression of iNOS and COX-2. In an in vivo study, a thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay showed that MRE inhibited CCl₄-induced oxidative stress and expression of nitrotyrosine. MRE also decreased CCl₄-induced hepatic iNOS and COX-2 expression, as well as CCl₄-induced hepatic inflammation and necrosis in mice. Conclusion: MRE exhibited antiinflammatory and hepatic protective activity.

Systematic analysis of bacteriostatic mechanism of flavonoids using transcriptome and its therapeutic effect on vaginitis

“…Notably, we found that flavonoids in A. conyzoides significantly decreased the serum levels of AST in mice, indicating that flavonoids in A. conyzoides have protective effects on hepatic function in mice. This is consistent with results in many previous researches that flavonoids could exert considerable protections against the hepatic damages induced by various causes [24,25].…”

The Pro-Health Benefits of Morusin Administration—An Update Review

“…Meanwhile, an assessment of morusin influence on production of nitric oxide in the lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells carried out by Cheon et al [58] revealed that this compound efficiently suppressed iNOS enzyme induction at the concentration greater than 10 µM. Similar results were described by Tseng et al with regard to the liver protective effect of morusin [59].…”

Pharmacological Activities for Morus alba L., Focusing on the Immunostimulatory Property from the Fruit Aqueous Extract

“…These results indicate that there is a high correlation and regression between the phenolic contents and antioxidant potential of these extracts [10]. Ethanol extract from the dried root of M. australis (MRE) was also found to decrease CCl 4 -induced hepatic inflammation and necrosis in mice [92].…”