# The Dichloromethane Fraction of Sanguisorba tenuifolia Inhibits Inflammation in Cells Through Modulation of the p38/ERK/MAPK and NF-κB Signaling Pathway

## TL;DR

A fraction of Sanguisorba tenuifolia reduces inflammation in cells and rats by affecting key signaling pathways and contains 423 compounds, including active anti-inflammatory ingredients.

## Contribution

The study identifies the dichloromethane fraction of Sanguisorba tenuifolia as a potent anti-inflammatory agent through p38/ERK/MAPK and NF-κB pathway modulation.

## Key findings

- The dichloromethane fraction (SCE) showed the strongest anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting NO production.
- SCE reduced LPS-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells and esophageal mucosal damage in a reflux esophagitis rat model.
- UPLC/MS-MS identified 423 compounds in SCE, including 12 active anti-inflammatory ingredients like triterpenoids and phenols.

## Abstract

Sanguisorba tenuifolia is a wild plant of the genus Sanguisorba officinalis. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory effect of the dichloromethane fraction of Sanguisorba tenuifolia on LPS-induced inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 cells, thereby providing a new scientific basis for the medicinal development of Sanguisorba tenuifolia. Initially, we used 75% ethanol to crudely extract the roots of Sanguisorba tenuifolia, followed by fractional extraction using dichloromethane (CH2Cl2), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), butanol (BuOH), and distilled water (DW) as solvents. By measuring the inhibitory effects of each fractionated extract on NO production, we determined that the SCE (Dichloromethane fraction of Sanguisorba tenuifolia) exhibited the most potent anti-inflammatory activity, leading to its progression to the next experimental stage. Subsequently, we evaluated the effects of SCE on cell viability and LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine secretion in RAW264.7 cells. A rat model of reflux esophagitis was also used to validate the in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of SCE. Additionally, we utilized UPLC/MS-MS to identify and analyze the active components of SCE. The results indicated that SCE could effectively inhibit LPS-induced cellular inflammation by modulating the p38/ERK/MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, and also reduced the damage of the esophageal mucosa in rats with reflux esophagitis. UPLC/MS-MS analysis of SCE identified 423 compounds, including 12 active ingredients such as triterpenoids, phenols, and steroids. This discovery not only provides scientific support for the potential of Sanguisorba tenuifolia as an anti-inflammatory agent but also lays the groundwork for the development of new therapeutics for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.