Filipendula glaberrima Nakai extract inhibits the bacterial infection by induction of HBD2 and HBD3 expression, and reduction of the inflammatory activity.

Defensins and inflammation are innate immune barriers of the body against infectious pathogens. Searching for a compound that can inhibit infectious diseases by affecting human β-defensin (HBD) and proinflammatory cytokines is the new trend in research to control bacterial infection. The aim of this study is to provide a natural compound, Filipendula glaberrima Nakai extract (FGE), which is able to induce the expression of an antimicrobial defensin as well as reduce inflammation. FGE induced the expression of HBD2 and HBD3 through activating both p38 and NF-κB signaling pathways. Furthermore, FGE inhibited the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 via p38 and NF-κB pathways in Staphylococcus aureus-stimulated THP1 cells. Injection of FGE alleviated cutaneous erythema and swelling caused by S. aureus injection in mice ears. Taken together, FGE could reduce bacterial infection by inducing the expression of defensin and anti-inflammatory activity.