Anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism of artemisinin and dihydroartemisinin
Yu, W.-y.; Kan, W.-j.; Yu, P.-x.; Li, M.-m.; Song, J.-s.; Zhao, F.
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi 37(17): 2618-2621
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 1001-5302 PMID: 23236763 Document Number: 658970
To study and compare the anti-inflammatory effect and molecular mechanism of artemisinin and dihydroartemisinin. Mouse mononuclear macrophage RAW264.7 cells were stimulated to release inflammatory mediators such as TNF-alpha, IL-6 and NO, in order to assess the drugs' inhibitory effect on macrophage's release of above inflammatory mediators. The levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 were determined by ELISA and the cytotoxicity was determined by MTT method. The protein expression of iNOS, COX-2 and beta-actin were tested by Western blot. The enzymatic activity of COX-2 was determined by colorimetric method. Dihydroartemisinin significantly inhibited LPS-induced release of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and NO from RAW264.7 in mice with the concentration range of 12.5 - 100 micromol x L(-1), and showed good dose dependence. Artemisinin only inhibited the IL-6 release to a certain extent. Dihydroartemisinin inhibits macrophages from releasing inflammatory factors TNF-alpha and IL-6 and inflammatory mediators NO by down-regulating iNOS protein. Artemisinin may help dihydroartemisinin to show its anti-inflammatory effect through metabolism.