Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Ascochlorin in LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophage Cells Is Accompanied With the Down-Regulation of iNOS, COX-2 and Proinflammatory Cytokines Through NF-κB, ERK1/2, and p38 Signaling Pathway

ABSTRACT A natural compound C23H32O4Cl, ascochlorin (ASC) isolated from an incomplete fungus, Ascochyta viciae has been known to have several biological activities as an antibiotic, antifungal, anti‐cancer, anti‐hypolipidemic, and anti‐hypertension agent. In this study, anti‐inflammatory activity has been investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, since ASC has not been observed on the inflammatory events. The present study has clearly shown that ASC (1–50 μM) significantly suppressed the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and decreased the gene expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) in a dose‐dependent manner. Moreover, ASC inhibited the mRNA expression and the protein secretion of interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐6 but not tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α in LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. In addition, ASC suppressed nuclear translocation and DNA binding affinity of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB). Furthermore, ASC down‐regulated phospho‐extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (p‐ERK1/2) and p‐p38. These results demonstrate that ASC exhibits anti‐inflammatory effects in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 978–987, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.