Inhibitory effect of the saponins derived from roots of Platycodon grandiflorum on carrageenan-induced inflammation

Previous studies have reported that the saponins isolated from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC (Campanulaceae), Changkil saponins (CKS), inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in cultured lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages. The aim of this presented study was to confirm the anti-inflammatory effects of CKS by examining their effect on the inflammatory response induced by carrageenan in a rat by using an acute air pouch inflammation model. CKS significantly reduced the levels of the inflammatory process markers in the air pouch, such as the volume of exudates, the amount of protein and the number of leukocytes and neutrophils. The levels of TNF-alpha and prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) were also markedly lower in the air pouch of the CKS-treated animals than in the controls. An immunoblot analysis showed that CKS reduced the COX-2 expression level in the exudate cells. In addition, CKS significantly reduced the paw edema induced by carrageenan and also markedly reduced the level of PGE(2) production in the inflamed paw. These results suggest that CKS had significant anti-inflammatory effects in vivo.