In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of Pothos scandens extract in RAW 264.7 cells

Pothos scandens, an edible plant, has been traditionally used for reducing swelling and treating wounds, muscle catches, sprains, bone fractures, blisters, and diarrhea. P. scandens ethanol extract (PSE) was evaluated for its anti-inflammatory potential in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine RAW 264.7 cells. Present studies showed that PSE reduced the mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2, followed by a decrease in production of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E₂. In addition, the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β was suppressed by PSE treatment. Immunoblotting analyses demonstrated that PSE inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 protein, without altering the phosphorylation of inhibitor of κBα, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38 protein kinase. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that P. scandens exhibited anti-inflammatory activity, which might be useful for the development of anti-inflammatory agents.