Objectives : Recently, Pharmacopuncture therapy has been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Especially, we have been interested in chemical mediators concerned with inflammation such as prostaglandin, nitric oxide. The purpose of this study is investigated that the effect of Ampelopsis Radix Phanmacopuncture solution in RAW 264.7 macrophages, performed several experimental items : those are Prostaglandin E₂, Nitric Oxide and Cyclooxygenase-2.
Methods : The cytotoxicity of Ampelopsis Radix Pharmacopuncture solution in RAW 264.7 macrophages were measured by MTT assay. In order to observe cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression in lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, RT-PCR was used. Prostaglandin E₂ production and Nitric Oxide production was measured by nitric oxide detection lit and Prostaglandin E₂ assay kit.
Results : 1. The AM assay demonstrated that cytotoxic effect of Ampelopsis Radix Pharmacopuncture solution in RAW 264.7 macrophages was not appeared
2. Ampelopsis Radix Pharmacopuncture solution inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.
3. Ampelopsis Radix Pharmacopuncture solution inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression in lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.
4. Ampelopsis Radix Pharmacopuncture solution inhibited Prostaglandin E₂ production in lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.
Conclusions : On the basis of these results, It was shown that Ampelopsis Radix Pharmacopuncture solution was able to inhibit the production of PGE₂ and NO, as well as COX-2 mRNA expression. Our results may provide new mechanism by which Ampelopsis Radix Pharmacopuncture solution accounts for its beneficial effect on accelerating wound healing and anti-inflammation.