Wogonoside displays anti-inflammatory effects through modulating inflammatory mediator expression using RAW264.7 cells

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, also called Huangqin in China, is an herbal-based nutraceutical which is usually used in Chinese medicated diet (CMD). As an abundant ingredient in Huangqin, wogonoside is a flavonoid glycoside. The present work investigated the anti-inflammatory activities of wogonoside in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells.

Materials and methods: RAW264.7 cells were used. The inhibition of wogonoside against nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells were measured. Additionally, the effects of wogonoside on mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), TNF-α and IL-6 were also investigated.

Results and discussion: Wogonoside not only dose-dependently decreased the production of inflammatory mediators including NO and PGE2 but also inhibited the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α and IL-6 in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, wogonoside possessed significantly in vitro inhibitory effects on the gene expression of iNOS, COX2, TNF-α and IL-6.

Conclusion: These results suggest that wogonoside may be used as a functional food component for prevention and treatment of inflammation.