Effects of Centella asiatica Extracts on Intestinal Epithelial Cell Inflammation in Functional Labeling Beverages Containing Aloe Vera Gel
In a previous study, beverages containing Centella asiatica extracts (CAE) that exhibited anti-inflammatory effects were prepared. This study aimed to establish the optimal extraction conditions for CAE to enhance its anti-inflammatory activity in functional labeling beverages (FLB-CCS) containing Aloe vera gel powder and Codonopsis lanceolata extract, and to determine their effects on intestinal epithelial cells. Initially, FLB-CCS 1 (containing 3% CAE) and FLB-CCS 2 (containing 1% CAE), which had varying CAE extraction ratios, displayed no significant cytotoxicity in IL-1β-induced inflammatory intestinal epithelial (Caco-2) cells. FLB-CCS 1 significantly more effectively inhibited the production of inflammatory factors, such as IL-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), compared to FLB-CCS 2. FLB-CCS 1 also reduced the mRNA expression of genes encoding IL-6 and MCP-1. Additionally, FLB-CCS 1 regulated the expression of IL-1 receptor type 1 by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of the NF-κB transcription factor p65. In conclusion, these results suggest that an increased CAE extraction ratio (FLB-CCS 1) could enhance the anti-inflammatory activity and serve as materials in functional labeling beverages for intestinal health.