Syzygium cumini seed attenuates LPS induced inflammatory response in murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7 through NF-κB translocation

In the present study we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of Syzygium cumini seeds using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW264.7 cells to reveal the underlying mechanism of action. Syzygium cumini seeds effectively reduced the production of nitric oxide (NO) and pro- inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, INF-γ, IL-β, TNF-α). Syzygium cumini fractions also inhibited LPS-activated lipoxygenases and reduced the levels of iNOS and COX-2 mRNA expression in murine macrophages. These effects were mediated by impaired translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and inhibition of the phosphorylation of JNK, ERK and p38 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. This study gives scientific evidence that Syzygium cumini seeds inhibits the LPS-induced expression of inflammatory mediators via suppression of JNK, ERK and p38 mediated NF-κB pathway as well as down regulation of iNOS and COX-2.