Mechanism for anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive effect of the flower of Chrysanthemum indicum

The flower of Chrysanthemum indicum (Compositae) has been used traditionally for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases [1]. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive mechanism for pharmacological activity of the flower of Chrysanthemum indicum. Many studies suggest that prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and nitric oxide (NO) biosynthesis play important roles in the processes of inflammation and carcinogenesis. Proinflammatory cytokine biosynthesis is regulated by NF-κB activity [2]. The ethanol extract from the flower of Chrysanthemum indicum exhibited the significant inhibitory effects on generations of PGE₂ (IC₅₀=57.8µg/mL) and NO (IC₅₀=45.8µg/mL) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. This extract obviously suppressed the mRNA and protein expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, This extract resulted in the cytosolic accumulation of IκBα via the suppression of phosphorylation of IκBα. It also blocked the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB through the inhibition of nuclear translocation of NF-κB. The above results reveal that the flower of Chrysanthemum indicum possesses anti-inflammatory and/or cancer chemopreventive activity, due to the suppressive mechanism of IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathway.

References: 1. Cheng, W. et al. (2005)J Ethnopharmacol 101:334–337.

2. Baeuerle P.A. (1998) Cell 95:729–731.