Background : We studied the anti-oxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects of Spiraea fritschiana Schneid extract (SFSE). Methods and Results : The SFSE was prepared using methanol and was evaluated for its total phenol and flavonoid content, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free-radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and effect on nitric oxide (NO) production, and cell viability by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The total phenol content was 212.78 ㎍• gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/㎎ and the total flavonoid content was 66.84 ㎍• quercetin equivalent (QE)/㎎. The extract showed antioxidant activity (DPPH free-radical scavenging activity) with RC50 value of 76.61 ㎍/㎖. The reducing power of the extract was Abs 0.58 at 250 ㎍/㎖. Cell viability was determined using the MTT 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. To evaluate anti-inflammatory activity, we examined the inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-(LPS)-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells. The NO inhibition rate was 90% at 200 ㎍/㎖ SFSE. At the same concentration, the expression of pro-inflammatory genes such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 also decreased.
Conclusions : Our results suggest that SFSE is a novel resource for the development of foods and drugs that possess anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.