Chamomile: an anti-inflammatory agent inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase expression by blocking RelA/p65 activity

Int J Mol Med. 2010 Dec;26(6):935-40. doi: 10.3892/ijmm_00000545.

Abstract

Chamomile has long been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammation-related disorders. In this study we investigated the inhibitory effects of chamomile on nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, and explored its potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms using RAW 264.7 macrophages. Chamomile treatment inhibited LPS-induced NO production and significantly blocked IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα-induced NO levels in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Chamomile caused reduction in LPS-induced iNOS mRNA and protein expression. In RAW 264.7 macrophages, LPS-induced DNA binding activity of RelA/p65 was significantly inhibited by chamomile, an effect that was mediated through the inhibition of IKKβ, the upstream kinase regulating NF-κB/Rel activity, and degradation of inhibitory factor-κB. These results demonstrate that chamomile inhibits NO production and iNOS gene expression by inhibiting RelA/p65 activation and supports the utilization of chamomile as an effective anti-inflammatory agent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Line
  • Chamomile / chemistry*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects*
  • Mice
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / biosynthesis
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / genetics
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Transcription Factor RelA / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Transcription Factor RelA / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • NF-kappa B
  • Plant Extracts
  • Rela protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factor RelA
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Nos2 protein, mouse