Abstract
Objective : Hongyi (Formica yessensis) is the dried insect of fomicidae. In previous studies, it appeared possibilities on anti-thrombosis, preventing atherosclerosis, treating rheumatoid disease, and inhibiting hela cell. In this study, we investigated anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of Hongyi. Methods : Hongyi A was extracted by water and made dried powder. Hongyi B was extracted by ethanol and made dried powder. We measured Nitric Oxide (NO) production on the mouse macrophages (RAW 264.7), mouse vascular endothelial cell (MOVAS) and human vascular endothelial cell (HUVEC) for anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, we conducted reverse transcription reaction (RT-PCR) for investigating the mechanism. Results : In RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated by LPS, Hongyi A ($100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) decreased NO production compared with LPS $2{\mu}g/ml$ control group with statistical significance (p<0.05). Hongyi A (50, $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) also decreased NO production compared with LPS $4{\mu}g/ml$ control group with statistical significance (p<0.01). Hongyi B (50, $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) decreased NO production compared with LPS $2{\mu}g/ml$ control group with statistical significance (p<0.01). Hongyi B (10, 50, $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) also decreased NO production compared with LPS $4{\mu}g/ml$ control group with statistical significance (p<0.01, p<0.001, p<0.001). In the MOVAS, Hongyi A and B increased NO production compared with control group. In the HUVEC, Hongyi B increased NO production compared with control group. The expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ in 12-hours MOVAS culture was decreased by Hongyi A and B (10, $50{\mu}g/ml$) compared with control group, but expression of $I{\kappa}B$ was increased. In the 24-hours MOVAS culture, expression of $I{\kappa}B$ was significantly increased. The expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ in 12-hours HUVEC culture was decreased by Hongyi A and B compared with control group, but expression of $I{\kappa}B$ was increased. Hongyi B also increased eNOS mRNA gene expression. Conclusions : Hongyi A and B showed anti-inflammatory effect in mouse macrophages with the activation of vascular endothelial cell through NO production in MOVAS and HUVEC repectively. Honyi B showed superior effect than Hongyi A, but additonal mechanism study should be conducted.
