Vitex trifolia L. modulates inflammatory mediators via down-regulation of the NF-ΚB signaling pathway in carrageenan-induced acute inflammation in experimental rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Vitex trifolia L. (V. trifolia L.), commonly known as the three-leaved chaste tree, is extensively employed in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat various conditions associated with inflammation.Aim of the study: The present study aimed to delineate the molecular mechanisms responsible for the anti-inflammatory effect of V. trifolia L. in carrageenan (CA)-induced acute inflammation in experimental rats. Materials and methods: CA-induced rat paw edema model was adopted to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of methanolic extract from leaves of V. trifolia L. (VTME) in vivo. Leukocyte infiltration into the site of inflam-mation was determined by histopathological analysis. Further, the effect of VTME on CA-induced local and systemic levels of specific cytokines was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Moreover, its impact on the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor Kappa B (NF-Kappa B) was analyzed by employing the western blotting technique.Results: VTME at the doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg significantly inhibited the paw edema induced by CA (p < 0.05) and effectively reduced the inflammatory leukocyte infiltration. Further, VTME markedly inhibited the CA-induced levels of Interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in tissue, and that of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-2/C-X-C motif chemokine (CXCL)3 and CINC-3/CXCL2 in tissue as well as in serum. On the other hand, VTME significantly upregulated the tissue concentration of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Moreover, VTME significantly attenuated the CA-induced I Kappa B alpha degradation and nuclear translocation of NF-Kappa B p65.Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the potent anti-inflammatory effect of V. trifolia L. in vivo, providing insight into its molecular mechanism, which is mediated through down-regulation of NF-Kappa B signal transduction.

Automated summary

The methanolic extract from Vitex trifolia L. leaves demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects in a rat model of inflammation, reducing edema and leukocyte infiltration. It also lowered the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased the concentration of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, the extract inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-Kappa B, indicating its potential role in down-regulating the inflammatory signaling pathway.