Evaluation of anti-inflammatory effect by regulating NF-κB pathway of Argyreia capitata (Vahl) Choisy extract in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages

Argyreia capitata (Vahl) Choisy is a species of the genus Argyreia. Although many studies have analyzed the biological activity of A. nervosa, A. speciasa, and A. acuta, the anti-inflammatory effect of A. capitata extract (ACE) remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of ACE using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory markers in RAW 264.7 cells. We confirmed that the ACE inhibited the LPS-induced NO (nitric oxide) and iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) expression in RAW 264.7 cells. ACE suppressed not only the LPS-induced phosphorylation of IKK, IκB, and p65 but also IL-1β expression. Collectively, these results suggest that ACE is a novel anti-inflammatory agent that suppresses iNOS expression, NO production, and the NF-κB signaling pathways.