Effects of dichloromethane Sarcophyton spp. extract on the lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of nuclear factor-kappa B and inducible nitric oxide synthase in mice.

The soft coral genus Sarcophyton is a source of cembraneterpen. Sarcophyton is reported to have anti-inflammatory properties, with the ability to reduce the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and inhibit nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of soft coral Sarcophyton spp. to inhibit the expression of NF-κB and iNOS induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Crude extracts of Sarcophyton spp. were macerated with DCM (1:3 v/v) for 24 h. Thirty-six Balb/c mice were divided into six treatment groups, namely, normal control (without LPS induction), negative control (LPS induction 4 mg/mL), comparative control (LPS+Dexamethasone 6 mg/kg), and 3 concentration groups extract (LPS+50, 125, and 250 mg/kg). The expression of NF-κB and iNOS was measured in each treatment group.

Flow cytometry analysis showed that the relative number of NF-κB⁺ cells increased (18.38±1.24%) in LPS-induced mice compared with normal mice (13.24±1.15%). The Sarcophyton spp. DCM extracts decreased the relative number of NF-κB⁺ cells (125 mg/kg: 13.96±0.84%). Immunohistochemical analysis with ImmunoMembrane showed that LPS induction in mice increased iNOS expression when compared to normal mice. The Sarcophyton spp. DCM extracts reduced iNOS expression (especially at 125 mg/kg).

DCM extracts of Sarcophyton spp. inhibited the activation of NF-κB, resulting in suppressed iNOS expression, which directly inhibits NO production.