Prim‑O‑glucosylcimifugin Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide‑ induced Inflammatory Response in RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Background: Radix Saposhnikoviae (RS) exerts anti‑inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antioxidation effects and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat common colds, headache, and rheumatoid arthritis. Prim‑O‑glucosylcimifugin (POG) is the highest content chromone and one of the major active constituents in RS. Objective: The study was aimed to explore the anti‑inflammation effects of POG in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Materials and Methods: Cell viability was detected by Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay. Production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF‑α), interleukin‑1β (IL‑1β), and IL‑6 was assessed by enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay. Real‑time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were performed to analyze mRNA and protein levels, respectively. Results: During the whole experiment, 15, 50, and 100 µg/mL of POG had no cytotoxicity on RAW 264.7 cells. POG dose‑dependently inhibited the production of NO, TNF‑α, IL‑1β, and IL‑6 that were induced by LPS. POG treatment downregulated the mRNA and protein expression inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX‑2) in LPS‑activated RAW 264.7 macrophages in a concentration‑dependent manner. Furthermore, LPS‑induced JAK2/STAT3 activation was prevented in RAW 264.7 macrophages by POG treatment. STAT3 overexpression significantly reversed the effects of POG on LPS‑activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that POG exerts anti‑inflammatory effects through the inhibition of iNOS and COX‑2 expression by inhibiting the phosphorylation of JAK2/STAT3.