3-Oxo-11αH-germacra-1(10) E,4Z-dien-12,6α-olide, a sesquiterpene from Artemisia sieversiana, attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation via NF-κB/MAPK pathways and oxidative stress via ROS pathway in RAW264.7 cells

Inflammation is a vital and normal physiological response; however, excessive inflammation can contribute to the development of various diseases. Artemisia sieversiana, a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, contains a variety of chemical compounds. One such compound, 3-oxo-11αH-germacra-1(10)E,4Z-dien-12,6α-olide, a germacranolide sesquiterpenoid (germacranolide, GMO), has not been thoroughly investigated regarding its potential anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of GMO were investigated for the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells. It was demonstrated that GMO effectively suppressed the production of inflammatory mediators, decreased the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, GMO exhibited the capacity to mitigate oxidative damage induced by LPS, as indicated by assessments of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential. In summary, GMO possesses significant anti-inflammatory effects by modulating the NF-κB/MAPK pathway and antioxidant effects by regulating ROS production.