Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Ligularia fischeri, Solidago virga-aurea and Aruncus dioicus Complex Extracts in Raw 264.7 Cells

The objective of this study was to evaluate the skin inflammation effects of three herb mixture extracts, Ligularia fischeri, Solidago virga-aurea and Aruncus dioicus, which are from Ullung island in Korea. Regulatory mechanisms of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) are involved in the immunological activity of Raw 264.7 cells. Tested cells were pretreated with 70% acetone extracts of Ligularia fischeri, Solidago virga-aurea and Aruncus dioicus (LSA-A) and further cultured for an appropriated time after lipopolyssacharide (LPS) addition. During the entire experimental period, 1, 10, and 100 of LSA-A had no cytotoxicity. In these concentrations, LSA-A inhibited the production of NO and prostaglandin (), tumor necorsis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). LSA-A showed a 60% inhibition rate at 100 . iNOS and COX-2 inhibition activities were 54%, and 65% at 100 , respectively. In addition, LSA-A extract reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-a, IL-1 and IL-6. These results suggest that LSA-A may have significant effects on inflammatory factors, and may be a potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent.