Immunostimulatory activity of Paeonia lactiflora through TLR4-dependent activation of p38, JNK, and ERK1/2 in mouse macrophages, RAW264.7 cells

ABSTRACT

Paeonia lactiflora (P. lactiflora) has been recently reported to increase the production of proinflammatory mediators and activates phagocytosis in macrophages. Thus, in this study, we tried to verify the macrophage activation of Paeoniae Radix Rubra (PRR, also known as red peony root) and elucidate its mechanism of action. PRR upregulated the production of proinflammatory mediators and activated phagocytosis in RAW264.7 cells. However, these effects were reversed by inhibition of TLR2/4. In addition, the inhibition of p38, JNK, and ERK1/2 reduced the PRR-mediated production of proinflammatory mediators, and the SPL-mediated activation of p38, JNK, and ERK1/2 was blocked by the TLR4 inhibition. These findings indicate that PRR may activate macrophages through TLR4-dependent activation of p38, JNK, and ERK1/2. These indicate that PRR has immunostimulatory activity. Thus, it is believed that PRR can be used as a functional food agent that enhances the immune system.

KEYWORDS:

• Immunostimulatory activity
• macrophage activation
• Paeonia lactiflora
• Paeoniae Radix Alba

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was carried out with the support of “Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science and Technology Development (Project No. PJ017090052022)” Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.