Increased anti-inflammatory effects of processed curly dock (Rumex crispus l.) in ex vivo LPS-induced mice splenocytes

Ex vivo anti-inflammatory effects of curly dock (Rumex crispus L.) with Beopje (processed) in LPS-induced mice splenocytes were studied. We formed six experimental groups: no treatment, CD (curly dock), CD-B (curly dock with Beopje), LPS (induced lipopolysaccharide), LPS+CD (LPS+curly dock), and LPS+CD-B (LPS+curly dock with Beopje). LPS increased nitric oxide (NO) production, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-6), and inflammation related genes (iNOS and COX-2) in mice splenocytes. LPS+CD and LPS+CD-B showed significantly decreased NO production, expression of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-6, and mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2 compared to the LPS group (P<0.05). Especially, LPS+CD-B showed reduced NO production and mRNA expression of COX-2 at 48 hours and levels of IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-6 at 72 hours compared to LPS+CD in mice splenocytes. From the results above, CD-B exhibited the highest anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting NO production, by regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammation related genes. These results might be due to the fact that curly dock contains polyphenols, flavonoids, saponin, chrysophanol, emodin, and anthraquinone, and Beopje processing might increase several active compounds and decrease anti-nutritional factors in curly dock.