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Abstract
Macrophages are prone to oxidative stress which can result either in severe damage to their function or even cell death. The present study was aimed to reveal the cytoprotective potential of Artemisia nilagirica (clarke.) extracts against tertiary butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) induced cell death and possible anti-inflammatory potential using RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. The extracts were shown to provide cytoprotective action in t-BHP treated cells via inhibition of lipid peroxidation, ROS generation and restoration of mitochondrial membrane potential. There was a significant change in the expression of genes for antioxidant enzymes in the cells which helped the cells to ameliorate the damaged biochemical machinery within cells. Furthermore, the extracts displayed a prominent downregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) which led to a reduction of nitric oxide in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 cells that indicated the anti-inflammatory potential of these extracts. It was also found that at least by two of the extracts the iNOS downregulation is mediated by induction of Hemoxygenase-1. The GC-MS evaluation of extracts was carried out to identify the phytochemical constituents. The overall results specified that A. nilagirica can be a potential source for protective agents against oxidative stress and act as a reservoir of anti-inflammatory compounds.