Antiinflammatory effects of Epimedium brevicornum water extract on lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW264.7 macrophages.

Epimedium brevicornum Maxim (Berberidaceae) possesses estrogenic properties. It is one of the most widespread herbal remedies used in Oriental medicine. The present study investigated the effects of Epimedium brevicornum water extract (EB) on proinflammatory mediators secreted from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. EB significantly inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-3, IL-10, IL-12p40, interferon-inducible protein-10, keratinocyte-derived chemokine, vascular endothelial growth factor, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells at concentrations of 25, 50, 100 and 200 μg/mL (p < 0.05). These results suggest that EB has antiinflammatory activity related to its inhibition of NO, cytokine, chemokine and growth factor production in macrophages.