Protoaphin‐fb is a phenolic compound newly isolated from Galla Rhois, a Korean medical plant. In the present study, the anti‐inflammatory effects of protoaphin‐fb in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated murine macrophages (RAW264.7 cells) were investigated. Protoaphin‐fb inhibited release of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 by reducing protein expression levels of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase‐2 in LPS‐treated RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, protoaphin‐fb suppressed release of interleukin‐6 and tumor necrosis factor‐α induced by LPS. Further study indicated that protoaphin‐fb blocked translocation of the p65 subunit of nuclear factor‐κB from the cytosol to nucleus, which is one of the underlying mechanisms of the anti‐inflammatory action of protoaphin‐fb. Collectively, these data suggest that protoaphin‐fb might be useful for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Practicl Applications
Galla Rhois has long been used in Korean traditional medicine due to its various pharmacological effects, including hepatic protective effect, anti‐bacterial activity, and anti‐platelet effect. The results of this research demonstrate that protoaphin‐fb is effective in attenuating inflammation. This result suggests its potential applicability in functional foods, cosmetic industry, and medicine manufacturing for people suffering from inflammation and inflammatory‐related diseases.