Cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of ethanol extract of Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson ex F.A.Zorn) Fosberg leaf in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells

Context: The flavonoid and phenolic compounds found in Artocarpus altilis have made their popularity. This plant has been used as a traditional medicine in Indonesia for various diseases. Aims: To evaluate the toxic concentration of the A. altilis extract and to investigate the capacity of the extract to inhibit inflammation against the macrophage cell line RAW 264.7, which has been induced with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods: The MTT assay was used to determine the level of toxicity shown by the extract. The qRT-PCR method was used to examine the anti-inflammatory activity of the sample by comparing the relative expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 mRNA in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells to those of dexamethasone, which served as the control. Results: The results of the test for toxicity indicated that the extract is safe. In RAW 264.7 cells that had been stimulated with LPS, we observed that the addition of A. altilis leaf extract drastically reduced the expression of IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA while simultaneously increasing the production of IL-10. Conclusions: The ethanol extract of A. altilis leaf was nontoxic and exhibited anti-inflammatory activity on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells.