Background

Akebia quinata D., a plant from the Lardizabalaceae family, has been traditionally used in East Asia for its medicinal properties. Its dried stem serves as a diuretic agent for treating edema and rheumatic pain.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory activity of A. quinata D. stem extracts in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. We also investigated potential mechanisms involving the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and NF-kB signaling pathways.

Results

Extracts were obtained from dried A. quinata D. stems using ethanol (AQDE) and water (AQDW) extraction methods. The effects of A. quinata D. extracts on cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory activity in RAW 264.7 macrophages were analyzed. A. quinata D. extracts were non-toxic in various concentrations (25–800 μg/mL) in RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment with extracts significantly reduced nitric oxide production, PGE2, proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), and PTGES2 in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Downregulation of the MAPK signaling pathway led to reduced phosphorylation of NF-κB, a transcription factor modulating inflammatory proteins, including JNK, ERK1/2, and p38. Based on the experimental results, it was confirmed that AQDE exhibits superior anti-inflammatory effects than AQDW.

Conclusion

These results indicate that A. quinata D. extracts exhibit anti-inflammatory effects without toxicity. Therefore, this suggests that they hold promise as a therapeutic candidate for inflammatory diseases, as well as potential a functional material for cosmeceuticals, food and medicine industries.

中文翻译：

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根据提取溶剂，木通提取物通过抑制 LPS 诱导的 RAW 264.7 细胞中的 MAPK 和 NF-κB 信号通路发挥抗炎活性

 背景

木通 (Akebia quinata D.) 是一种木通科植物，因其药用特性而在东亚传统上被使用。其干燥茎可作为利尿剂，用于治疗水肿和风湿痛。

 客观的

本研究旨在探讨金线莲茎提取物对脂多糖 (LPS) 诱导的 RAW 264.7 巨噬细胞的抗炎活性。我们还研究了涉及丝裂原激活蛋白激酶 (MAPK) 和 NF-kB 信号通路的潜在机制。

 结果

使用乙醇 (AQDE) 和水 (AQDW) 提取方法从干燥的A. quinata D. 茎中获得提取物。分析了昆纳塔提取物对 RAW 264.7 巨噬细胞的细胞毒性和抗炎活性的影响。不同浓度 (25–800 μg/mL) 的A. quinata D. 提取物在 RAW 264.7 细胞中均无毒。用提取物处理可显着减少 LPS 诱导的 RAW 264.7 细胞中一氧化氮的产生、PGE2、促炎细胞因子（TNF-α、IL-1β 和 IL-6）和 PTGES2。 MAPK 信号通路的下调导致 NF-κB 磷酸化减少，NF-κB 是一种调节炎症蛋白（包括 JNK、ERK1/2 和 p38）的转录因子。根据实验结果，证实AQDE比AQDW表现出更优异的抗炎作用。

 结论

这些结果表明， A. quinata D. 提取物具有抗炎作用，且无毒性。因此，这表明它们有望成为炎症性疾病的治疗候选者，以及药妆品、食品和医药行业的潜在功能材料。