RESUMO
Emodin, an anthraquinones component of Rheum palmatun, has been used for anti-inflammatory purposes. However, its underlying molecular effect(s) on target cells remain to be well clarified. our current study was aimed at investigating the regulatory effect of Emodin on lipopolysaccharide induced inflammatory responses in RAW 264.7 macrophages by gelatin zymography . It was found that treatment of LPS(5μg/ml) for 18 h elevates the expression of MMP-9 and MMP-2 proteins in RAW 264.7 cells. It was also found that co-treatment of RAW 264.7 with drug Emodin(6μg/ml) and LPS(5μg/ml) for the period of 18 h reduces the expression level of MMP-9 and MMP-2 protein. Our data suggest that Emodin plays roles in regulating the digestion of Extracellular matrix by down-regulating the expression of MMP-9 and MMP-2 proteins.