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Abstract
The sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus is an important food and traditional medicine
in Asian countries. However, ethyl acetate solvent fraction of S. japonicus (SCEA-F)
is largely unknown for its anti-inflammatory activity and related molecular mechanisms.
In this study, effect of SCEA-F on inflammation was investigated in LPS stimulated
RAW264.7 cells. SCEA-F significantly inhibited the productions of NO and PGE(2) by
inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 at their protein and gene levels. The production and the
gene transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines are also inhibited. The responsible
molecular signaling for these inhibitory actions was found to be through suppression
of the phosphorylation of MAPK molecules; ERK and p38 MAPK. These results indicate
that SCEA-F inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory response via blocking of MAPK signaling
pathway in murine macrophages, thus demonstrated its in vitro anti-inflammatory potential.
Therefore it could be suggested that SCEA-F could be effectively used in functional
food preparations.