Pinus Densiflora Gnarl Extract for Pharmacopuncture Inhibits Inflammatory Responses through Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction in Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 Macrophages

In this issue of the journal, recommended articles are selected from the Korean Journal of Acupuncture (ISSN: 1229-7933) published in Korean and from the Journal of Pharmacopuncture (ISSN: 2093-6966) published in English.

(1) Korean Journal of Acupuncture, Vol.29, No.1, pp.37∼46, 2012

Pinus Densiflora Gnarl Extract for Pharmacopuncture Inhibits Inflammatory Responses through Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction in Lipopolysaccharidestimulated RAW264.7 Macrophages

Kang-Pa Lee, Jin-Young Moon

Abstract

Objectives: The gnarl of Pinus densiflora, called Songjeol in Korea, has been used as a medicinal herb for the treatment of inflammatory-related diseases such as arthralgia, myalgia and bruises. However, its molecular actions and mechanisms have not been clearly investigated. The aim of this study was to clarify the anti-inflammatory activity of Pinus densiflora gnarl harmacopuncture (PDGP) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

Methods: Cytotoxicity was assessed by using a XTT assay. The amount of nitric oxide (NO) production was determined by using a nitrite assay. The mRNA expressions of interleukin-1b (IL-1b), interleukin-6 (IL-6), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were analyzed by using reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). Reactive oxidative species (ROS) generation was measured using fluorescence microscopy. In addition, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and redox factor-1 (Ref-1) protein expressions were detected by using Western blotting.

Results: PDGP inhibited NO production and ROS generation in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. At the mRNA level, PDGP suppressed IL-1b, IL-6 and COX-2 expression. On the other hand, PDGP induced HO-1 mRNA expression. Furthermore, PDGP suppressed iNOS and Ref-1 protein expression.

Conclusions: These results suggest that PDGP can act as a suppressor agent for NO and iNOS through induction of HO-1 and can play a useful role in blocking inflammatory responses.

Key Words: pinus densiflora gnarl; pharmacopuncture; nitric oxide; heme oxygenase-1