INHIBITORY EFFECT OF LIGNANS FROM THE RHIZOMES OF COPTIS-JAPONICA VAR. DISSECTA ON TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR-ALPHA PRODUCTION IN LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE-STIMULATED RAW264.7 CELLS

The inhibitory effect of 10 lignan constituents isolated from the rhiz omes of Coptis japonica var. dissecta on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a lpha production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage cell line (RAW264.7 cells) has been studied. Among them, pinoresinol, woor enoside-V and lariciresinol glycoside showed significant inhibitory ac tivities in the range from 37% to 55% at the concentration of 25 mu g/ ml. The results are first report that the lignans isolated from Coptis japonica inhibit TNF-alpha production, and suggest that the lignan co mponents may partly participate in antiinflammatory and antiallergic e ffect of Coptis Japonica through the inhibition of TNF-alpha productio n.