Haloxylon salicornicum Phytochemicals Suppress NF‐kB, iNOS and Pro‐inflammatory Cytokines in Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced Macrophages

Haloxylon salicornicum is traditionally used for the treatment of several disorders associated with inflammation. Despite it is a defense response against tissue injury and infections, inflammation can become a chronic condition that can negatively impact the body. This study investigated the effect of H. salicornicum phytochemicals nuclear factor‐kappaB (NF‐κB), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cytokines release by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐challenged macrophages in vitro. The binding affinity of the tested phytochemical towards NF‐κB and iNOS was investigated using molecular docking. Ten compounds (four coumarins, three sterols and three flavonoids) were isolated from the ethanolic extract of H. salicornicum. Treatment of LPS‐challenged macrophages with the compounds resulted in remarkable decrease in NF‐κB p65 and iNOS mRNA abundance. All compounds suppressed the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the pro‐inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interleukin (IL)‐6) from macrophages challenged with LPS. Molecular docking revealed the ability of the isolated phytochemicals to bind NF‐κB p65 and iNOS. In conclusion, H. salicornicum is a rich source of phytochemicals with anti‐inflammatory properties. The anti‐inflammatory efficacy of H. salicornicum phytoconstituents is mediated via their ability to modulate NF‐κB and iNOS, and suppress the release of NO, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 from macrophages.