Young-Min Ham¹, Weon-Jong Yoon¹, Eun Hwa Sohn², Dae Won Park³, Hyelin Jeon^{3, 4}, Yong-Hwan Jung^1,, Sung Ryul Lee^5,, Se Chan Kang^{3, 6,}

A phytochemical application of leaves from Ficus erecta var. sieboldii (Miq.) King has not been widely investigated. We determined an anti-inflammatory effect of F. erecta extracts on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated production through modulation of several pro-inflammatory mediators and prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂). Among the F. erecta extracts, the CH₂Cl₂ fraction (CFE) most effectively suppressed the LPS-mediated production of nitric oxide (NO) in Raw264.7 cells. As determined by immunoblotting and PCR, CFE was shown to have an inhibitory effect on LPS-induced mRNA and protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). In addition, CFE showed significant inhibitory effects on LPS-mediated production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and PGE₂ (P<0.05), demonstrating its effects on inflammation. The main active compounds that suppressed PGE₂ production were syringaresinol (C1) and 6,7-furano-5-methoxy hydrocoumaric acid (C2). In conclusion, CFE showed an inhibitory effect on LPS-mediated inflammatory responses by suppressing iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 production. The compounds C1 and C2 showed strong inhibitory effects on LPS-mediated production of PGE₂ and may be applicable as starter compounds for developing anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive drugs.

Ficus erecta var. sieboldii (Miq.) King, Inflammation, Cyclooxygenase-2, Prostaglandin E2, Pro-inflammatory cytokine, Syringaresinol, 6 7-Furano-5-methoxy Hydrocoumaric acid