Anti-Inflammatory Effects of <i>Huberantha luensis and Ancistrocladus tectorius</i> Extracts Through Inhibition of Nuclear Factor-κB and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathways

Inflammation is a crucial response to harmful stimuli, but its chronic activation contributes to various diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, osteoarthritis, and neurological disorders. While nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are widely used as anti-inflammation drugs, their extended usage often results in severe side effects, emphasizing the need for safer alternatives. Therefore, it is of the greatest importance to identify and discover new anti-inflammatory agents that exhibit a reduced incidence of adverse side effects. This study investigates the anti-inflammatory potential of methanol extracts from eight native Vietnamese plant species. These extracts were screened for their ability to inhibit nitric oxide production and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in lipopolysaccharides-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Among the tested extracts, those derived from <i>Huberantha luensis</i> (Pierre) Chaowasku and <i>Ancistrocladus tectorius</i> (Lour.) Merr. demonstrated notable reductions in NO, TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 levels. Further analysis revealed that these extracts are abundant in polyphenols and flavonoids, compounds recognized for their anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore, these extracts exerted their effects by inhibiting the kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways, as evidenced by reduced phosphorylation of the proteins. These results suggest that the methanol extracts obtained from <i>H. luensis</i> and <i>A. tectorius</i> possess considerable potential in paving the way towards the innovative development of new therapeutic approaches aimed at alleviating chronic inflammation.