Sophoricoside analogs inhibit COX isozymes but not iNOS and TNF in LPS-stimulated macrophages Raw264.7

Macrophages activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are known to induce several proinflammatory proteins including COX-2. iNOS and TNF which produce chemical mediators involved in inflammatory response. Sophoricoside and its analogs (genistin, genistein and orobol) from Sophora japonica (Leguminosae) showed differential inhibitory effects on COX-1 and 2 activities. Sophoricoside and genistin shwoed IC50 values of 4 uM and 6 uM on COX-2 activity and of 1,497 uM and 135 uM on COX-1 activity, respectively. Genistein and orobol showed IC50 values of 3 uM on COX-2 activity and of 28 uM and 18 uM on COX-1 activity. respectively. Therefore. the legume isoflavonoids to be selective COX-2 inhibitors. However. sophoricoside and its analogs did not show inhibitory effects of COX-2, iNos and TNF transcripts. which were identified by the RT-PCR.