Herb Mixture Inhibits Pro-inflammatory Mediators Through the Suppression of JNK and P38 Activation in LPS-Stimulated Raw 264.7 Macrophages

Inflammation has been implicated as a pathophysiological feature underlying many chronic diseases. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of new formulation of herb medicine, DG1102, composed by five different herbal ingredients such as Taraxaci Herba, Rhei Rhizoma, Houttuynia cordata Thunb. Houttuyniae Herba, Eriobotryae Folium which has been used for inflammatory diseases, in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 macrophages. DG1102 suppressed nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-6, IL-10 and macrophage inflammatory protein production in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase 2 expression. Furthermore, DG1102 suppressed the activation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Our results suggest that DG1102 has an immune-modulatory activity suppressing production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokine via the suppression of JNK and p38 MAPK activation in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The present study provides the biological evidence of the efficacy of medicinal plants in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.