Sargassum horneri and isolated 6-hydroxy-4,4,7a-trimethyl-5,6,7,7a-tetrahydrobenzofuran-2(4H)-one (HTT); LPS-induced inflammation attenuation via suppressing NF-κB, MAPK and oxidative stress through Nrf2/HO-1 pathways in RAW 264.7 macrophages

Bioactive compounds from algae have provided new perceptions into natural product research. This study was focused on the ethanol extract of Sargassum horneri collected from South Korea and its anti-inflammatory potential. The study revealed strong anti-inflammatory activity through down-regulating nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Successive studies appraised its potential to inhibit the activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha) including PGE2. iNOS, COX-2 as well as cytokine gene expression analysis supported the above. The mediation was evident to be activated through the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Oxidative stress is tightly connected with inflammation, which could be evaluated through Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. S. hroneri was further purified, 6-hydroxy-4,4,7a-trimethyl-5,6,7,7a-tetrahydrobenzofuran-2(4H)-one; (HTT) isolated and was assessed for its anti-inflammatory potential. These findings suggest the anti-inflammatory capability of S. horneri ethanol extract and its purified component HIT against LPS induced inflammation.