Anti-inflammatory Potential of Saponins from Aster tataricus via NF-κB/MAPK Activation

Four new aster saponins (1-4) together with five known analogues (5-9) were isolated from Aster tataricus. The chemical structures of 1-4 were elucidated based on spectrometric and spectroscopic analysis and comparison with reported data. The potential anti-inflammatory activities of aster saponins 1-9 were evaluated subsequently by measuring lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-enhanced nitric oxide (NO) formation in murine macrophages. Among these, aster saponin B (6) exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity (IC₅₀: 1.2 μM). Additionally, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein levels were dose-dependently suppressed by 6 in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Investigation of the anti-inflammatory mechanism indicated that 6 attenuated the phosphorylation and degradation of the inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB), which led to the blocking of NF-κB p65 translocation to the nucleus.