| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立清華大學 === 分子與細胞生物研究所 === 95 === The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective bioactivities of phytocompounds isolated from Cryptomeria japonica. An enriched fraction CJH7 and its major compound (1S,6R)-2,7(14),10-bisabolatrien-1-ol-4-one (1) isolated from wood hexane extract of C. japonica was observed to markedly suppress nitric oxide production, and inhibit both mRNA and protein expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase in LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. The enzymatic activity of cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin E2 synthesis were also significantly inhibited by compound 1. LPS-induced IKK��/�� and IκB phosphorylation and NF-κB activation in macrophages were not responsive to compound 1 treatment, as examined by Western blot analysis and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. In contrast, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway was partly inhibited by compound 1 through suppression of the phospho-p42/44 protein expression. To study in vivo effect on hepatic tissues, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced acute and chronic liver damages in mouse system was adopted for evaluating the in vivo bioactivity of C. japonica extract. CJH7 at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight can inhibit liver aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities. Histopathological examination revealed that CJH7 treatment can effectively suppress CCl4-induced lipid accumulation and cell necrosis in test mouse liver tissues. Taken together, these results suggest that the bioactive anti-inflammatory phytocompounds from C. japonica may have good potential for further development into hepatoprotective agent.
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