Anti‑inflammatory effects of <i>Nypa fruticans</i> Wurmb via NF‑κB and MAPK signaling pathways in macrophages
Hye Lin Park, Tae Won Jang, So Han, Song Hee Oh, Jung Lee, Sung Min Myoung, Jae Hyung Park
Abstract
The inflammatory defense response of macrophages is a natural protective reaction in the immune system. Antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory activities are closely related. In addition, the cell signaling pathway regulating inflammation is associated with MAPK and NF‑κB signaling pathway phosphorylation. The present study aimed to evaluate whether the ethyl acetate fraction from <em>N. fruticans</em> (ENF) has a modulatory role in the MAPK signaling pathway and inhibition of the IκB/NF‑κB signaling pathways, including translocation of NF‑κB p65. Antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory activities are closely related. In addition, the cell signaling pathway regulating inflammation is associated with MAPK and NF‑κB signaling pathway phosphorylation. The results revealed that ENF exhibited antioxidant capacity, attenuated the cytokine levels and blocked nitric oxide production. ENF downregulated cyclooxygenase‑2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. We hypothesized that ENF treatment alleviated the various proinflammatory mediators via IκB phosphorylation and transcription of NF‑κB compared with the untreated control. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of ENF treatment was attributed to the inhibition of MAPK and Akt/IκB/NF‑κB signaling pathways.