[Anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism of artemisinin and dihydroartemisinin]

Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2012 Sep;37(17):2618-21.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Objective: To study and compare the anti-inflammatory effect and molecular mechanism of artemisinin and dihydroartemisinin.

Method: Mouse mononuclear macrophage RAW264.7 cells were stimulated to release inflammatory mediators such as TNF-alpha, IL-6 and NO, in order to assess the drugs' inhibitory effect on macrophage's release of above inflammatory mediators. The levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 were determined by ELISA and the cytotoxicity was determined by MTT method. The protein expression of iNOS, COX-2 and beta-actin were tested by Western blot. The enzymatic activity of COX-2 was determined by colorimetric method.

Result: Dihydroartemisinin significantly inhibited LPS-induced release of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and NO from RAW264.7 in mice with the concentration range of 12.5 - 100 micromol x L(-1), and showed good dose dependence. Artemisinin only inhibited the IL-6 release to a certain extent.

Conclusion: Dihydroartemisinin inhibits macrophages from releasing inflammatory factors TNF-alpha and IL-6 and inflammatory mediators NO by down-regulating iNOS protein. Artemisinin may help dihydroartemisinin to show its anti-inflammatory effect through metabolism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Artemisinins / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Inflammation Mediators / immunology
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Mice
  • Nitric Oxide / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Artemisinins
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Interleukin-6
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Nitric Oxide
  • artenimol
  • artemisinin