Cuttlebone Shows Anti-inflammatory Activity Via Suppression of NF-κB Activation in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Our previous study reported that cuttlebone (CB) extract shows wound healing activity and enhances cell migration. In the present study, we examined the anti-inflammatory effect of CB in RAW 264.7 cells activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for induction of inflammation. The expression of inflammatory mediators, including proinflammatory cytokines, was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests. The results showed that CB suppressed nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophages stimulated with LPS. Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, decreased in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells after treatment with CB in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, gene expression was inhibited by CB in a dose-dependent manner in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Furthermore, CB inhibited nuclear factor kappa B (NF-KB) p65 activation in macrophages activated with LPS. Therefore, these results suggest that CB exerts its anti-inflammatory effects via regulation of the NF-KB signaling pathway.