This study was focused on the anti-inflammatory activities of Annona muricata leaf ethanol extracts (AME). Inflammation of macrophages was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment, and various inflammation-mediated factors [cytokines and nitric oxide (NO)] were measured. AME treatment significantly reduced LPS- induced NO, cytokine levels [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-1β], and expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanical studies showed that AME treatment inhibited activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor (NF)-κB in macrophages treated with LPS. From these results, AME treatment strongly inhibits LPS-induced inflammation through inhibition of NF-κB activation, suggesting AME could be a potential candidate for treatment of inflammatory disease as a nutraceutical drug.

Keywords: Annona muricata leaves, macrophage, cytokine, mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor-κB