Anti-inflammatory effect of a Capsosiphon fulvescens (Chlorophyta) extract obtained by subcritical water extraction on lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 cells
摘要
In this study we evaluated the antioxidant activities of the green alga Capsosiphon fulvescens and analyzed its anti-inflammatory mechanisms by comparing the effects of water, ethanol, and subcritical water extracts with those of the control in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Among these methods, the subcritical water extract exhibited the highest total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, as well as the strongest antioxidant activities, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging, and ferric reducing antioxidant power. Treatment with C. fulvescens extract dose-dependently reduced the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin 6, nitric oxide, and reactive oxygen species, with the subcritical water extract showing the most significant effect. Furthermore, the subcritical water extract markedly suppressed the expression levels of proteins and genes of the toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells pathway and the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. In summary, these results suggest that C. fulvescens extracts exhibit antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing inflammatory pathways in RAW 264.7 macrophages, with the subcritical water extract demonstrating the greatest efficacy.