Anti-inflammatory activity of the water extract of Semiliquidambar cathayensis leaf

Abstract

In this study, the anti-inflammatory effect of the water extract of Semiliquidambar cathayensis leaf (WESCL) was evaluated for the first time. WESCL exhibited anti-inflammatory activity by significantly reducing the cell metamorphosis, the production of nitric oxide (NO), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages while showing no cytotoxic effect to the cells. Furthermore, an in vivo study revealed that WESCL could alleviate the disease development of osteoarthritis (OA) and decrease the level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in mice. Chemical composition analysis indicated that WESCL contained high amounts of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and triterpenoid saponins, with the total content being 30.6 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g, 38.2 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g, 100.5 mg oleanolic acid equivalent (OAE)/g, respectively. The present study successfully identified WESCL as a naturally-occurring anti-inflammatory agent, supporting its potent application for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Semiliquidambar cathayensis
• anti-inflammatory
• nitric oxide
• water extract

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31860091). Key Research Project of Jiangxi Province (No. 20203BBF63028). Science and Technology Bureau of Ganzhou, China (Nos. 201960, 202060).