Inhibitory effects of the root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa on interleukin-8 and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 secretions in U937 cells

In an effort to elucidate the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of mudanpi, the root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews (Ranunculaceae), we determined the effects of the methanolic extract of mudanpi (MEM) on the secretions of interleukin (IL)-8, a major mediator of acute neutrophil-mediated inflammation, and macrophage chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, a major mediator of chronic macrophage-mediated inflammation, in human monocytic U937 cells stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). MEM significantly inhibited PMA-induced secretions of IL-8 and MCP-1 proteins in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition of these chemokines by MEM was due to its suppression of IL-8 and MCP-1 genes. In addition, 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose, one of major constituents isolated from MEM, inhibited PMA-induced secretions of IL-8 and MCP-1 proteins by its suppression of IL-8 and MCP-1 genes. Thus, one possible anti-inflammatory mechanism of mudanpi, an anti-inflammatory Chinese crude drug, may be to inhibit the secretions of inflammatory chemokines.