In vivo anti-inflammatory effects of Prasiola japonica ethanol extract

[Display omitted] •The weight, thickness and volume of paw, and ear edema were decreased in Pj-EE-treated mice.•Pj-EE blocked the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory genes by suppression of IKKα/β phsophorylation.•Oral administration of Pj-EE ameliorated HCl/EtOH-stimulated gastric ulcers. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Prasiola japonica ethanol extract (Pj-EE) in various mouse inflammation models. For edema mice models, eight-week-old female ICR mice were orally administrated with Pj-EE (25 and 50 mg/kg) for one week, before ear edema induction with carrageenan or xylene. The weight, thickness, and volume of paw and ear edema were decreased in Pj-EE-treated mice after 3 h of edema induction. The mRNA expression levels of iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, IL-1β, and IFN-γ were decreased in Pj-EE-treated conditions. The phosphorylation forms of IκBα and IKKα/β were suppressed by Pj-EE at 50 mg/kg. The effect of Pj-EE on gastrointestinal disorder was examined in HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis model. Oral administration of Pj-EE ameliorated HCl/EtOH-stimulated gastric ulcers. In addition, Pj-EE reduced gene expressions of iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, and IL-1β. Alverine, one of ingredient compounds in Pj-EE, was also confirmed to show anti-edema activity, in vitro, and in vivo. Conclusively, therapeutic effects of Pj-EE were demonstrated in various inflammatory mouse models, suggesting a possibility as a promising anti-inflammatory functional food.