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BLOODROOT EXTRACT DECREASES TNF-α LEVELS IN THP-1 CELLS

Abstract

Studies have shown that sanguinarine, which is isolated from the bloodroot plant (Sanguinaria canadensis), has anti-inflammatory properties. TNF-α is cytokine that is created by cells, including macrophages, in response to an inflammatory insult. THP-1 monocytes, which can differentiate into macrophages following phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) exposure, are a common model used for examining inflammation. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment of THP-1 cells has been shown to cause an increase in TNF-α expression. In our studies, we tested THP-1 cells exposed to LPS in the presence or absence of bloodroot extract to determine if pre-treatment of the cells with these extracts can prevent TNF-α expression. Extracts were made using 0.125 g/ml of dried bloodroot and either DMSO, ethanol, or hot water as the solvent. TNF-α levels were determined using an ELISA kit and compared to provided standards. Results indicate that all three of our bloodroot extracts were able to decrease TNF-α expression by more than 99.9% (p<0.01). These results indicate that bloodroot extract, dissolved in any of the three solvents tested, prevents TNF-α from being produced in differentiated THP-1 cells. Our findings suggest that bloodroot extracts may be useful in the prevention or treatment of inflammation.

Acknowledgements

YHC Undergraduate Research Initiative

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