Suppressive effects of extracts from the aerial part of Coriandrum sativum L. on LPS-induced inflammatory responses in murine RAW 264.7 macrophages

BACKGROUND: Coriandrum sativum is used not only as a spice to aid flavour and taste values in food, but also as a folk medicine in many countries. Since little is known about the anti-inflammatory ability of the aerial parts (stem and leaf) of C. sativum, the present study investigated the effect of aerial parts of C. sativum on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. We further explored the molecular mechanism underlying these pharmacological properties of C. sativum. RESULTS: Ethanolic extracts from both stem and leaf of C. sativum (CSEE) significantly decreased LPS-induced nitric oxide and prostaglandin E-2 production as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and pro-interleukin-1 beta expression. Moreover, LPS-induced I kappa B-alpha phosphorylation and nuclear p65 protein expression as well as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) nuclear protein-DNA binding affinity and reporter gene activity were dramatically inhibited by aerial parts of CSEE. Exogenous addition of CSEE stem and leaf significantly reduced LPS-induced expression of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrated that aerial parts of CSEE have a strong anti-inflammatory property which inhibits pro-inflammatory mediator expression by suppressing NF-kappa B activation and MAPK signal transduction pathway in LPS-induced macrophages. (C) 2010 Society of Chemical Industry