Evaluating the Potential Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Schisandra chinensis–Smilax china Extract in LPS-Induced RAW 264.7 Cells

Purpose: This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of a Schisandra chinensis–Smilax china complex extract (SSCE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods: SSCE was prepared from dried S. chinensis and S. china using ethanol extraction. Cell viability of macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells) following SSCE treatment was assessed by MTT assay. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by measuring nitric oxide (NO) production using the Griess reagent, analyzing iNOS protein expression by Western blotting, and quantifying pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA levels by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: SSCE exhibited no cytotoxicity at concentrations of 25–200 μg/mL in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Treatment with SSCE significantly reduced NO production and downregulated the expression of iNOS and pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in a concentration-dependent manner. Particularly, 200 μg/mL of SSCE inhibited NO production by 60.9% and iNOS expression by 69.8%. Moreover, SSCE suppressed TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 mRNA expression by 68.6%, 75.7%, and 64.5%, respectively. Conclusion: These findings confirm that the S. chinensis–S. china complex extract imparts potent anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-stimulated macrophages. SSCE may therefore represent a promising natural candidate for the development of functional materials or therapeutic agents targeting inflammation-related diseases.