D(-)-Salicin inhibits the LPS-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells and mouse models.

D(-)-Salicin is a traditional medicine which has been known to exhibit anti-inflammation and other therapeutic activities. The present study aimed to investigate whether D(-)-Salicin inhibited the LPS-induced inflammation in vivo and in vitro. We evaluated the effect of D(-)-Salicin on cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10) in vivo and in vitro by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and signaling pathways (MAPKs and NF-κB) in vivo by Western blot. The results showed that D(-)-Salicin markedly decreased TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 concentrations and increased IL-10 concentration. In addition, western blot analysis indicated that D(-)-Salicin suppressed the activation of MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways stimulated by LPS. To examine whether D(-)-Salicin ameliorated LPS-induced lung inflammation, inhibitors of MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways were administrated intraperitoneally to mice. Interference with specific inhibitors revealed that D(-)-Salicin-mediated cytokine suppression was through MAPKs and NF-κB pathways. In the mouse model of acute lung injury, histopathologic examination indicted that D(-)-Salicin suppressed edema induced by LPS. So it is suggest that D(-)-Salicin might be a potential therapeutic agent against inflammatory diseases.