Ethyl Acetate Fractions of L. and L. Exert Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities.

Abnormal inflammation and oxidative stress are involved in various diseases. L. possesses various pharmacological activities, and a previously reported analysis of the anti-inflammatory effect of ethanol extracts and alkaloid profiles of the plants suggest isoquinoline alkaloids as potential pharmacologically active compounds. Here, we investigated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fractions of and extracts in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. EtOAc fractions of and compared to their ethanol extracts showed less toxicity but more inhibitory activity against LPS-induced nitric oxide production. Moreover, EtOAc fractions lowered the LPS-induced production of proinflammatory molecules and cytokines and inhibited LPS-activated STAT3 and NF-κB, and additionally showed significant free radical scavenging activity and decreased LPS-induced reactive oxygen species and oxidized glutathione. EtOAc fractions of increased the expression of HO-1, GCLC, NQO-1, and Nrf2 in LPS-stimulated cells and that of enhanced NQO-1. Furthermore, metabolomic and biochemometric analyses of ethanol extracts and EtOAc fractions indicated that EtOAc fractions of and have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, further suggesting that alkaloids in EtOAc fractions are potent active molecules of tested plants.