A traditional Chinese formula composed of Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Gastrodiae Rhizoma (Da Chuanxiong Formula) suppresses inflammatory response in LPS -induced RAW 264.7 cells through inhibition of NF-κB pathway.

BACKGROUND

Da Chuanxiong Formula (DCXF) which origins from Jin Dynasty is a famous classical 2-herb Chinese medicinal prescription. It is composed of dried rhizomes of Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma, CR) and Gastrodia elata (Gastrodiae Rhizoma, GR) at the ratio of 4:1 (w/w). It has been used to treat headache which is caused by wind pathogen and blood stasis for thousands of years in China.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was performed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of DCXF and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms using LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.

METHODS

The anti-inflammatory effect of DCXF was evaluated using LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Generation of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were measured by the Griess colorimetric method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The gene expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, the effect of DCXF on NF-κB activation was measured by western blot assay.

RESULTS

Treatment with DCXF significantly suppressed the productions of NO and PGE2 through inhibitions of iNOS and COX-2 expressions in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. DCXF significantly decreased IκBα phosphorylation, inhibited p65 expression and reduced p-p65 level. These results suggested the anti-inflammatory effect of DCXF was associated with the reduction of inflammatory mediators through inhibition of NF-κB pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicated that DCXF inhibited inflammation in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells through inactivation of NF-κB pathway.