Kyungheechunggan-Tang-01, a New Herbal Medication, Suppresses LPS-Induced Inflammatory Responses through JAKSTAT Signaling Pathway in RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Abstract EN

Medicinal plants have been used as alternative therapeutic tools to alleviate inflammatory diseases.

The objective of this study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory properties of Kyungheechunggan-tang- (KCT-) 01, KCT-02, and Injinchunggan-tang (IJCGT) as newly developed decoctions containing 3–11 herbs in LPS-induced macrophages.

KCT-01 showed the most potent inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO, PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-6 production among those three herbal formulas.

In addition, KCT-01 significantly inhibited LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 at protein levels and expression of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6 at mRNA levels.

Molecular data revealed that KCT-01 attenuated the activation of JAK/STAT signaling cascade without affecting NF-κB or AP-1 activation.

In ear inflammation induced by croton oil, KCT-01 significantly reduced edema, MPO activity, expression levels of iNOS and COX-2, and STAT3 phosphorylation in ear tissues.

Taken together, our findings suggest that KCT-01 can downregulate the expression of proinflammatory genes by inhibiting JAK/STAT signaling pathway under inflammatory conditions.

This study provides useful data for further exploration and application of KCT-01 as a potential anti-inflammatory medicine.