Studies on the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of the Mudanpli(Cortex Moutan Radicis)

Objectives: In an effort to elucidate the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of the Mudanpli (Cortex Moutan Ra야cis : the root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews; Ranunculaceae), I determined the effects of the methanolic extract of Mudanpli (MEM) on the secretions of interleukin(IL)-8, a major mediator of acute neutrophil-mediated inflammation, and macrophage chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, a major mediator of chronic macrophage-mediatted inflammation, in human monocytic U937 cells stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Methods : We were experimented IL-8, MCP-l secretion, activity, MTT assay, RT-PCR. Results: MEM significanly inhibited PMA-induced secretions of IL-8 and MCP-l in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitions of these chemokines by MEM were due to suppressions of IL-8 and MCP-1 genes. In addition, pentagalloylglucose (PGG), one of major constituents isolated from MEM, inhibited PMA-induced secretions of IL-8 and MCP-1 by suppressing IL-8 and MCP-1 genes via B inactivation. Conlusioos : From the above result, MEM was found to have a anti-inflammatory effect.