Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Inhibition of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase, Cycleooxygenase-2 and Lipid Peroxidation by Methanol Extract of Pericarpium Zanthoxyli

Jin-Won Chung, Jin Uk Oh, Sehyung Lee, Sung-Jin Kim

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea;

For correspondence:- Sung-Jin Kim Email: kimsj@khu.ac.kr Tel:+8229610868

Received: 9 April 2013 Accepted: 30 April 2013 Published: 12 June 2013

Citation: Chung J, Oh JU, Lee S, Kim S. Inhibition of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase, Cycleooxygenase-2 and Lipid Peroxidation by Methanol Extract of Pericarpium Zanthoxyli. Trop J Pharm Res 2013; 12(3):369-375 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v12i3.15

© 2013 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To explore the antioxidant properties of the methanol extract of Pericarpium Zanthoxyli and its effect on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cycleooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced cell damage in macrophage cells.

Methods: Anti-oxidant activities were tested by measuring free radical scavenging activity (DPPH, NO) and lipid peroxidation levels. The mechanism of anti-oxidant action of Pericarpium Zanthoxyli extract was determined by Western blot analysis for iNOS and COX-2 expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.

Results: Pericarpium Zanthoxyli extract contained anti-oxidant components including phenolics (2.456 mg/g), flavonoids (0.127 mg/g) and anthocyanins (20.34 mg/g). The extract exerted significant radical scavenging activity in a dose-dependent manner. It also inhibited lipid peroxidation and exerted dramatic reducing power (28.9-fold compared with control at a concentration of 1 mg/ml). Production of iNOS induced by LPS was significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited by the extract, suggesting that the extract inhibits nitric oxide (NO) production by suppressing iNOS expression. Strikingly, COX-2 induced by LPS was also significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited by the extract.

Conclusion: These results suggest that the methanol extract of Pericarpium Zanthoxyli exerts significant anti-oxidant activity via inhibiting free radicals, iNOS and lipid peroxidation as well as by inhibition of COX-2 enzyme.

Keywords: Pericarpium Zanthoxyli, Nitric oxide, iNOS, COX-2, Lipid peroxidation, Antioxidant