Litsenolide A2: The major anti-inflammatory activity compound in Litsea japonica fruit

In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of litsenolide A2 (LNA2) isolated from L. japonica fruit and its mechanism of action in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. LPS-induced production of anti-inflammatory mediators and cytokines such as NO, PGE(2), iNOS, COX-2, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 was significantly inhibited by LNA2. Next, western blot experiments were performed to investigate the mechanism of action of the anti-inflammatory effect of LNA(2). The results indicated that LNA(2) markedly reduced the LPS-induced activation of NF-kappa B and the nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B p65. Furthermore, LNA(2) also inhibited the phosphorylation of MAPK by LPS. LNA(2) was the major component in the ethanol extract of L. japonica at 59 mg/g according to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These results indicate that LNA(2) can be used as a functional and marker compound for standardization of the manufacturing process when L. japonica fruit is used as a functional food.