Amygdalin suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in mouse BV2 microglial cells

Background: Amygdalin (D-mandelonitrile-β-D-gentiobioside) is a cynogenic compound found in sweet and bitter almonds, Persicae semen and Armeniacae semen. Amygdalin has been used for the treatment of cancers and for the relief of the pain. We made an aqueous extraction of amygdalin from Armeniacae semen. In this study, the effect of amygdalin on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation was investigated. Methods: The effects of amygdalin extracted from Armeniacae semen on the LPS-stimulated mRNA expressions of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, COX-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the mouse BV2 microglial cells were investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The effects of amygdalin on the prostaglandins E₂ synthesis and the nitric oxide production were also studied by performing prostaglandins E₂ immunoassay and by detecting nitric oxide. Results: The present results showed that amygdalin suppressed the prostaglandin E₂ synthesis and the nitric oxide production by inhibiting the LPS-stimulated mRNA expressions of COX-2 and iNOS in the mouse BV2 cells. Conclusion: These results show that amygdalin exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and it dose so probably by suppressing the mRNA expressions of COX-2 and iNOS.