The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated by measuring the ear thickness, activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the production reactive oxygen species (ROS). The anti-inflammatory mechanism was explored by determining the protein and mRNA levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-¦Á (TNF-¦Á), interleukin (IL)-1¦Â and IL-6.
The results showed that both ECPC and ECPA significantly decreased the ear thickness, MPO activity and the ROS level in mouse model of inflammation induced by TPA. In addition, ECPC and ECPA also remarkably inhibited the protein and mRNA levels of TNF-¦Á, IL-1¦Â, IL-6 and COX-2. Interestingly, ECPC has better anti-inflammatory effect than that of ECPA.
These results indicate that both ECPC and ECPA have potential anti-inflammatory effect on TPA-induced inflammatory in mice, and ECPC is more effective than ECPA. The anti-inflammatory effect of the herbal drugs may be mediated, at least in part, by down-regulating the mRNA expression of a panel of inflammatory mediators including TNF-¦Á, IL-1¦Â, IL-6 and COX-2.