Suppression of LPS-Induced Inflammation by <i>Phragmites communis</i> Young Leaf Extract via Multi-Target Inhibition of IκB, AP-1, and STAT1/3 Pathways in RAW 264.7 Cells

Young leaves of reed (<i>Phragmites communis</i>) have been reported to exhibit antioxidant effects; however, their anti-inflammatory properties have not yet been investigated. In this study, we evaluated the effects of young reed leaf extract (PCE) on LPS-induced inflammation in RAW 264...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Kyung-Yun Kang, Kyung-Wuk Park
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/14/2178
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Summary:Young leaves of reed (<i>Phragmites communis</i>) have been reported to exhibit antioxidant effects; however, their anti-inflammatory properties have not yet been investigated. In this study, we evaluated the effects of young reed leaf extract (PCE) on LPS-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells and elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms. Our results demonstrate that PCE significantly inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) by approximately 45% at 100 μg/mL (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, and GM-CSF by 40–60% (<i>p</i> < 0.01) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, without cytotoxicity up to 100 μg/mL. PCE also downregulated the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and upregulated heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression by approximately 2-fold at 100 μg/mL (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Mechanistically, these effects were associated with the inhibition of IκBα phosphorylation/degradation, IKKα/β phosphorylation, and AP-1 activation via the suppression of JNK and ERK signaling pathways, as well as the inhibition of STAT1/3 phosphorylation. Collectively, our findings suggest that PCE exerts anti-inflammatory effects by modulating the IκB, AP-1, and STAT1/3 signaling pathways, thereby suppressing inflammatory mediator production and enhancing antioxidant defense mechanisms in LPS-treated macrophages.
ISSN:2223-7747