Anti-inflammatory activity of ethanol extract from Geranium sibiricum Linne

Ethnopharmacological relevanceGeranium sibiricum (Geraniaceae) Linne (GSL) is used to heal various disorders of the diarrhea and the intestinal inflammation as an herbal agent in East Asia.Aims of the studyThe purpose of the present study is to determine whether the ethanol (EtOH) extract of GSL regulates the inflammatory reaction stimulated by phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI) in human mast cells (HMC-1).Materials and methodsWestern blot was used for activation of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), transcription factors, induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 proteins. EMSA was for DNA binding activity. RT-PCR was used for gene expression.ResultsEtOH extract of GSL (EGS) inhibits the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), one of a MAPK, nuclear transcription factors involving nuclear factor (NF)-κB and Activator protein (AP)-1, COX-2 and iNOS. The results indicated that EGS decreased gene expression of interleukin (IL)-1β and COX-2 in PMACI stimulated HMC-1 cells.ConclusionHence, we speculate that EGS can use as a potent anti-inflammatory agent for inflammatory allergic diseases.