Rhododendron album Blume inhibits iNOS and COX-2 expression in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells through the downregulation of NF-κB signaling

Rhododendron album Blume (RA) has traditionally been used as an herbal medicine and is considered to have anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we screened RA extracts with anti-inflammatory properties. The biological effects of an RA methanol extract (RAME) on inflammation were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse RAW264.7 cells. We investigated the effects of RAME on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. To explore the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of RAME, we measured the mRNA and protein expression of pro-inflammatory mediators induced by RAME in the LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells by RT-PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. RAME significantly inhibited the production of NO, PGE2, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. It also suppressed the mRNA and protein expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) with a concomitant decrease in the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. These results indicate that RAME inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory responses. These effects were considered to be strongly associated with the suppression of NF-κB activation. We therefore suggest that RAME may be prove to be an effective therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.