Anti-inflammatory effects of hexane fraction from white rose flower extracts via inhibition of inflammatory repertoires

Abstract

In this study, we determined the anti-inflammatory activity and mechanism of action of a hexane fraction (hWRF) obtained from white Rosa hybrida flowers by employing various assays such as quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting, and Electrophoret- ic-Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA). The results revealed that the hWRF had excellent anti-inflammatory potency by reducing inflammatory repertoires, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-1β, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in RAW264.7 cells when stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a pro-inflammatory mediator. The reduction of nitric oxide (NO) release from RAW 264.7 cells supported the anti-inflammatory effect of hWRF. Interestingly, hWRF effectively inhibited LPS-mediated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 subunit translocation into the nucleus and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 phosphorylation, suggesting that hWRF anti-inflammatory activity may be based on inhibition of the NF-κB and MAPK pathways. Based on the findings described in this study, hWRF holds promise for use as a potential anti-inflammatory agent for either therapeutic or functional adjuvant purposes. © 2011 The Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology.