Quantification Analysis and In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Effects of 20-Hydroxyecdysone, Momordin Ic, and Oleanolic Acid from the Fructus of Kochia scoparia

BACKGROUND The fructus of Kochia scoparia Schrader (Chenopodiaceae) is a traditional herbal medicine that has been used for treating gonorrhea and dermatitis. OBJECTIVE We investigated the anti-inflammatory activities of three marker compounds, including 20-hydroxyecdysone, momordin Ic, and oleanolic acid, from the fructus of K. scoparia. MATERIALS AND METHODS The simultaneous analysis of three components was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography and high-performance thin-layer chromatography. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of the nine marker compounds by determining their anti-inflammatory activities in the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. RESULTS Among three marker compounds, momordin Ic, but not 20-hydroxyecdysone and oleanolic acid, had inhibitory effects on the production of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in LPS-treated RAW264.7 macrophages. The effects of three marker compounds on prostaglandin E2(PGE2) were also evaluated. All three compounds significantly reduced PGE2 production in LPS-treated cells. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that momordin Ic is the most potent phytochemical of the fructus of K. scoparia as an anti-inflammatory agent. SUMMARY Simultaneous analysis of three phenylpropanoids in the Kochia scoparia was established using HPLC-PDA systemThe momordin Ic had inhibitory effects on production of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in LPS-treated RAW264.7 macrophagesThe momordin Ic, 20-hydroxyecdysone, and oleanolic acid significantly reduced PGE2 production in LPS-treated cells. Abbreviations used: HPLC: High-performance liquid chromatography; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor alpha; IL-6: Interleukin-6; PGE2: Pro-inflammatory mediator prostaglandin E2; LPS: Lipopolysaccharide.