Fraxinus rhynchophylla (Oleaceae), a deciduous tree, is known to have properties that include anti-inflammatory, convergence, febricide, antiblenophthalmia, antidiarrhea, antileukorrhea, and so forth. In addition, it has been used for traditional herbal medicine in East Asian countries, including Korea. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Fraxinus rhynchophylla ethanol extract (FRE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine macrophage Raw 264.7 cells with FRE pretreatment. We performed DPPH-assay, Western blot, and Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). FRE showed 85% free radical scavenging activity at concentrations of 80 µg/ml. Results of this study also showed that FRE down-regulates Cox-2 and iNOS expression in mRNA and protein level. In conclusion, crude ethanol extract of Fraxinus rhynchophylla exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and it may potentially provide a valuable source of natural herbal agent to inhibit inflammation.

• Gon-Sup Kim(Research institute of Life Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University) Corresponding author
• Gyeong-Eun Hong(Research institute of Life Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University)
• Hyeon-Soo Park(Research institute of Life Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University)
• Jin-A Kim(Korea National Animal Research Resource Center and Korea National Animal Bio-resource Bank)
• Arulkumar Nagappan(Research institute of Life Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University)
• Jue Zhang(Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine)
• Sang-rim Kang(Department of Biological Engineering, School of Natural Science, Kyonggi University)
• Chung-kil Won(Research institute of Life Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University)
• Jae-Hyeon Cho(Research institute of Life Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University)
• Eun-Hee Kim(Department of Nursing Science, International University of Korea)