α-spinasterol isolated from Achyranthes aspera L. ameliorates inflammation via NF-κB and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways

Abstract On the basis of previous studies, the low-polar part of Achyranthes aspera L. (A. aspera) had strong anti-inflammatory activity. Three compounds were isolated from the low polarity fraction of A. aspera, and their structures were identified as α-spinasterol (1), 7,8-dihydrospinasterol (2),...

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Main Authors: Qiongli Zeng, Weiting Xiao, Heng Zhang, Wei Liu, Xionglong Wang, Zhen Li, Yue Han, Zhi Wang, Shunxiang Li, Jinwei Yang, Wen Ouyang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-02-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90022-2
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Summary:Abstract On the basis of previous studies, the low-polar part of Achyranthes aspera L. (A. aspera) had strong anti-inflammatory activity. Three compounds were isolated from the low polarity fraction of A. aspera, and their structures were identified as α-spinasterol (1), 7,8-dihydrospinasterol (2), 22,23-dihydrospinasterol (3). Among them, the content of α-spinasterol (1) in A. aspera was higher in the spring and winter seasons through HPLC methods, ranging from 0.0085 to 0.0157%. Futhermore, in the LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells inflammation model, α-spinasterol significantly reduced the levels of cytokines such as IL-6, PGE2 and TNF-α, inhibited the expression of COX-2, 5-LOX, p-IKKβ, p-NFκB and p-IkBα proteins, and promoted the expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 proteins. Therefore, this study showed that α-spinasterol can inhibit LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells inflammation, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB pathway, activation of Nrf2 pathway, and reduction of excessive release of inflammatory factors.
ISSN:2045-2322