Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
2584127 Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 2010 8 Pages PDF
Abstract

The sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus is an important food and traditional medicine in Asian countries. However, ethyl acetate solvent fraction of S. japonicus (SCEA-F) is largely unknown for its anti-inflammatory activity and related molecular mechanisms. In this study, effect of SCEA-F on inflammation was investigated in LPS stimulated RAW264.7 cells. SCEA-F significantly inhibited the productions of NO and PGE2 by inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 at their protein and gene levels. The production and the gene transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines are also inhibited. The responsible molecular signaling for these inhibitory actions was found to be through suppression of the phosphorylation of MAPK molecules; ERK and p38 MAPK. These results indicate that SCEA-F inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory response via blocking of MAPK signaling pathway in murine macrophages, thus demonstrated its in vitro anti-inflammatory potential. Therefore it could be suggested that SCEA-F could be effectively used in functional food preparations.

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