Ethanol Extract of Aril and Pulp from Momordica cochinchinensis Fruit Exhibits Anti-inflammatory Effect in LPS-induced Macrophage RAW264.7 Cells

Abstract

Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng.) fruit contains several bioactive compounds exhibiting multiple biological functions including anti-inflammatory activity. In the present study, ethanol extracts of pulp and aril from gac fruit were compared for their anti-inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine macrophage cell line (RAW264.7 cells). Aril extract had greater amounts of b-carotene, lycopene, total flavonoids and phenolic compounds than pulp extract. Prior treatment cell monolayer with pulp and aril extract significantly suppressed LPS-induced NO, iNOS, COX-2, TNF-a, and IL-6 expressions (p < 0.05) by dose-dependently without a cytotoxic effect. The suppressive effect was mediated partly by inhibiting phosphorylation and degradation of IkB-a and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38, ERK1/2 and JNK). The aril extract exhibited a greater anti-inflammatory effect than the pulp extract. These data support a significant health benefit effect of gac fruit. However, this functional activities warrant further study in both animal and humans inflicted with inflammatory-associated chronic diseases.