Anti-inflammatory properties of Pleione bulbocodioides extract through STING/ NF-κB pathway inhibition

The members of Pleione (Orchidaceae) are popular worldwide for their ornamental appeal and medicinal properties. Pleione bulbocodioides, a CITES Appendix II-listed species, has been traditionally used in dermatological therapies but remains pharmacologically understudied. In this study, the in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of extracts from artificially cultivated P. bulbocodioides were investigated. We found the P. bulbocodioides extract (PE) significantly suppressed TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced expression of IL-6, IL-1β, CCL5, CCL8, CXCL8, CXCL3, and TMEM173 (STING) genes in both HaCaT cells and NHEKs. Transcriptomic analysis and Western blotting confirmed the inhibitory effects on STING/NF-κB signaling pathway of PE. And phytochemical characterization identified militarine and batatasin III as principal bioactive constituents responsible for STING/NF-κB pathway inhibition by PE. PE also demonstrated comparable anti-inflammatory efficacy in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages and SLS-irritated 3D reconstructed human epidermis. Thus, these findings indicate the potential of PE as a natural anti-inflammatory therapeutic or skincare ingredient for dermatological applications.