Glechoma hederacea inhibits inflammatory mediator release in IFN-γ and LPS-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages

Glechoma hederacea (GH) is an herb widely used herb medicine for the treatment of a variety of pathologies. In this study, the effect of GH on interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-12p70, IL-12p40, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-6 were examined using mouse peritoneal macrophages. GH inhibits IFN-γ/LPS-induced NO in a dose-dependent manner. The decrease in NO synthesis was reflected as a decreased amount of inducible NO synthase protein. We also found that GH inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL-12p70, and TNF-α production. However, GH increased IFN-γ/LPS-induced IL-12p40 production. GH doesn’t affect the IL-6 production. These findings mean that GH can be used in controlling macrophages mediated inflammation related disease.