COMPOSITION COMPRISING WERCKLEA INSIGNIS EXTRACTS AND FRACTIONS THEREOF FOR PREVENTING AND TREATING INFLAMMATORY DISEASES OR ASTHMA

摘要

The present invention relates to a composition comprising Wercklea insignis extracts and fractions thereof for preventing and treating inflammatory diseases or asthma. The Wercklea insignis extracts and fractions thereof according to the present invention inhibit the generation of NO and PGE2 TNF-a which are rapidly increased by the artificial induction of inflammation in macrophages, inhibit the expression of iNOS and COX-2, inhibit MAPK protein phosphorylation, inhibit the nuclear transfer of NF-? ?, and reduce the quantities of cytokines IL-6 and IL-1beta, thereby inhibiting inflammation, inhibiting podedema in a carrageenan-induced mouse model, and significantly reducing the quantities of Th2-type cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 which increase in asthma or allergy. Therefore, the Wercklea insignis extracts and fractions thereof according to the present invention may be valuably used in a composition which is intended for medicine or health-promoting foods and which may require the Wercklea insignis extracts and fractions thereof as active ingredients for preventing and treating inflammatory diseases, allergies, and asthma.