Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effect of Calea urticifolia lyophilized aqueous extract on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Calea urticifolia leaves are traditionally used as a remedy to treat gastric ulcers, diabetes, and inflammation by the Xi'uy ancient native community of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Aim of the study: The aim was to assess the effects of the aqueous extract of the Mexican plant C urticifolia as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and to provide evidence on the phenolic compounds. Materials and methods: RAW 264.7 macrophages were stimulated with 1 mu g/mL of LPS and treated with 10, 25 50, 75 y 100 mu g/mL of Calea urticifolia lyophilized aqueous extract (CuAqE). Nitric oxide (NO) release, tumor necrosis factor alpha, prostaglandin E-2 production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) p65, NF-kappa B p50 expression and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured; other pro-inflammatory proteins were measured with membrane antibody array. Phenolic compounds were analyzed by LC-ESI-MS. Results: Inflammation was inhibited by suppressing iNOS/NO pathway through inhibiting nucleus translocation of NF-kappa B p65 and p50 sub-units. ROS production was significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited in a dose-dependent manner in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Moreover, the expression of inflammatory markers was suppressed (34.5-88.3%) by CuAqE. A mix of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives and flavonoid-glycosides were found in CuAqE. Conclusion: Phenolic compounds in CuAgE such as caffeoylquinic acid derivatives and flavonoid glycosides could be responsible for inhibiting LPS-induced inflammation and oxidative stress by iNOS/NO pathway through suppressing NF-kappa B signaling pathway and by inhibition of ROS production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Therefore, these results support the traditional knowledge of C urticifolia tea such as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.