The Anti-inflammatory Activity Of An Methanolic Extract From Ophiocordyceps Sinensis Mycelia In LPS-stimulated NR8383Rat Alveolar Macrophages

Purpose: Cordyceps sinensi is one of the most valuable Chinese herbal medicines, Itcan tonify the lung, replenish the kidneys. The present study was designed todetermine the impact of Ophiocordyceps sinensis methanol extracts on cytokine NOproduction and investigate effects of O.sinensis extracts on the p38MAPK signalingpathway to discuss the molecular mechanisms involved.Methods: The NR8383rat alveolar macrophages cell line was used in this research.MTT cytotoxicity assay was used to measure the cytotoxicity of O.sinensis methanolextracts(OSME) in NR8383cells. Griess assay was used to measure the amount ofstable nitrite, the end product of NO in LPS-activated NR8383cells after exposure toOSME. Western blot analysis was used to measure the protein levels of p38、p-p38inLPS-activated NR8383cells after exposure to OSME.Results:1. Exposure to concentrations of OSME25to400μg/ml for24h did notaffect the viability of NR8383macrophages cells.2. OSME (25–200μg/ml) dose-dependently decreased the production of NO inLPS-activated NR8383macrophages.3. OSME (25、50、100μg/ml) activated p38mitogen-activated protien kinase(p38MAPK) and dose-dependently decreased phosphorylation of p38MAPK(p-p38MAPK) in LPS-activated NR8383macrophages.Conclusion: These results indicate that Ophiocordyceps sinensis suppressesinflammatory response of rat alveolar macrophages by modulates p38MAPK signaling pathway.