Vermelhotin, an Anti-inflammatory Agent, Suppresses Nitric Oxide Production in RAW 264.7 Cells via p38 Inhibition

Vermelhotin exhibited potential anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of nitric oxide production (IC50 = 5.35 +/- 0.59 mu M) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Vermelhotin suppressed expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) at mRNA and protein levels, in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistic studies revealed that vermelhotin abrogated upstream signaling of iNOS expression by selectively inhibiting p38 phosphorylation, while ERK and JNK activations were not affected.