Curcumae Longae Rhizoma and Saussureae Radix Inhibit Nitric Oxide Production and Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Down-regulation.

Background/aim: The cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptor is an important regulator of immunoinflammatory responses. Crude drugs commonly used in Japanese traditional Kampo medicine have displayed anti-inflammatory effects; however, few studies have reported that these effects are mediated via CB2 receptor signaling. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate CB2 receptor-related anti-inflammatory regulation in crude drugs.
Materials and Methods: The ethanol extracts of 34 crude drugs listed in the Japanese Pharmacopeia were tested, and the inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production were evaluated in murine macrophage RAW 264 cells.
Results: The extracts of Curcumae Longae Rhizoma (dried rhizome of Curcuma longa) and Saussureae Radix (dried root of Saussurea lappa) significantly inhibited NO production and attenuated the LPS-induced decrease in CB2 receptor mRNA expression.
Conclusion: Curcumae Longae Rhizoma and Saussureae Radix can modulate the CB2-receptor-related anti-inflammatory regulation in macrophages.
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