Methanolic Extracts of Capparis ecuadorica Iltis Inhibit the Inflammatory Response in Lipopolysaccharide‑Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophage Cells

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the anti‑inflammatory activity of a methanolic extract of C. ecuadorica leaves (MCE) in macrophages. Materials and Methods: Anti‑inflammatory responses and mechanisms were assessed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑stimulated RAW 264.7 cells after pretreatment with MCE. Results: In the MCE + LPS‑treated group, the relative mRNA levels of pro‑inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‑α and interleukin (IL)‑1β, IL‑6) were downregulated and protein levels of IL‑6 were also decreased as compared to the vehicle + LPS‑treated group. Furthermore, the MCE + LPS‑treated group showed reduced levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production as compared to the vehicle + LPS‑treated group; detection of nitrite concentration revealed nitric oxide (NO) to be the reduced ROS. The expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)/cyclooxygenase‑2 (COX‑2) mRNA and the level of phosphorylation of IκBα were decreased in the MCE + LPS‑treated group. In addition, MCE + LPS‑treated group showed reduced levels of phosphorylation of MAP kinase in comparison to the vehicle + LPS‑treated group. Interestingly, MCE also inhibited other inflammatory mechanisms, namely, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy. Conclusion: These results indicate that MCE inhibits inflammatory responses through the inhibition of inflammatory cytokines and NO production, iNOS/COX‑2 expression and nuclear factor‑kappa B (NF-κB) activation, MAPK inhibition, as well as regulation of ER stress and autophagy in LPS‑stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.