<i>In vitro</i> anti-inflammatory activity of ethyl acetate extract and nicotinic acid from <i>Cordyceps neovolkiana</i> DL0004 in RAW 264.7 macrophages

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of the ethyl acetate extract (EA) of <i>Cordyceps neovolkiana</i> DL0004, a native fungal species recently isolated in Vietnam and its purified compound, nicotinic acid (NCA), using <i>in vitro</i> assays. Data showed that both EA and NCA significantly inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages without inducing cytotoxicity. Further, western blot analysis demonstrated that both agents suppressed the activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) subunit p50 and p65 in a concentration-dependent manner, with NCA exhibiting greater potency at lower concentrations. In addition, EA and NCA effectively protected cellular DNA and proteins against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative damage, confirming their antioxidant potential. These findings suggest that <i>C. neovolkiana</i> and its constituents, particularly NCA, possess promising anti-inflammatory activities as evidenced by suppression of NO production, NF-κB activation, and oxidative stress.