Cynanchum wilfordii modulates inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells via the NF-κB and MAPK pathways

Cynanchum wilfordii is a widely used herb in Oriental medicine, known for its wide range of therapeutic applications. The present study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effects of selected compounds isolated from C. wilfordii, including 4-hydroxyacetophenone (CW1), 2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone (CW2), wilfoside K1N (CW3), and cynandione A (CW4), on the inflammatory response induced by treatment of macrophages with LPS. The study focused on the analysis of the MAPK and NF-κB pathways. The results showed that treatment with CW1, CW2, CW3 and CW4 inhibited the expression of p-ERK, p-JNK, p-p38 and p-IkBa in LPS-induced macrophages, with CW4 exhibiting the greatest inhibitory effects. Furthermore, CW4 treatment showed the most significant inhibitory effect on p-IκB-α/IκB-α expression in the NF-κB pathway. In conclusion, the data demonstrate that CW4 exerts a robust inhibitory effect on macrophage inflammatory signalling pathways in the LPS-induced inflammatory response.