Exp Neurobiol.  2008 Dec;17(2):71-78. 10.5607/en.2008.17.2.71.

Effects of Armeniacae Semen and Amygdalin on the Lipopolysaccaride-induced Prostaglandin E2 Synthesis and Nitric Oxide Production in Mouse BV2 Microglial Cells

• Jung HJ
• Kim YS
• Shin MS
• Kim CJ
• Kim YS

• KMID: 2165285
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5607/en.2008.17.2.71

Abstract

Armeniacae semen has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of pain and inflammatory diseases. Amygdalin is the major compound of Armeniacae semen, and it is used for treatment of pain and cancers. In the present study, we compared the effects of aqueous extract of Armeniacae semen and a solution of amygdalin extracted from Armeniacae semen on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expressions in mouse BV2 microglial cells. We also compared the effects of these compounds on the prostaglandin E2 synthesis and the nitric oxide production in mouse BV2 microglial cells. In the present results, Armeniacae semen and amygdalin suppressed prostaglandin E2 synthesis and nitric oxide production by inhibiting the LPS-induced enhancement of COX-2 mRNA and iNOS mRNA expressions in mouse BV2 cells. For the COX-1 expression, Armeniacae semen showed more potent suppression effect compared to the amygdalin. However, amygdalin more potently suppressed the LPS-induced COX-2 mRNA expression compared to aqueous extract of Armeniacae semen. In the case of iNOS mRNA expression, Armeniacae semen and amygdalin showed similar suppressing effects. For the LPS-induced PGE2 synthesis, amygdalin showed more potent suppressing effect, meanwhile, Armeniacae semen and amygdalin showed similar suppressing effect on NO production. Based on the present results, amygdalin may exert anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect though mainly the inhibition of COX-2 pathway, in contrast Armeniacae semen may exert such effect though both the inhibition of COX-2 and iNOS pathways.

Keyword

amygdalin; Armeniacae semen; cyclooxygenase; inducible nitric oxide synthase; prostaglandin E2; nitric oxide

MeSH Terms

Amygdalin
Animals
Cyclooxygenase 1
Cyclooxygenase 2
Dinoprostone
Medicine, Traditional
Mice
Nitric Oxide
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases
RNA, Messenger
Semen
Amygdalin
Cyclooxygenase 1
Cyclooxygenase 2
Dinoprostone
Nitric Oxide
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases
RNA, Messenger