Modulation of pro-inflammatory mRNA expression by Sesamum indicum and Coptis teeta

Sesamum indicum Linn. and Coptis teeta Wall. are known to demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory activity, albeit their effect on the expression of pro-inflammatory mRNA has remained largely unexplored. In this study, both the plant extracts demonstrated high polyphenolic (phenolic, 477.50 ± 1.60 and 290.35 ± 1.18 mg GAE (gallic acid equivalent) 100 g⁻¹; flavonoid, 225.50 ± 2.77 and 129.54 ± 3.16 mg GAE 100 g⁻¹) and antioxidant (ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) radical scavenging, 89.52 ± 1.25 and 89.95 ± 3.04 %) activities. In lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages differentiated from the human THP-1 monocytic cell line, Sesamum indicum Linn. significantly downregulated the gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), whereas Coptis teeta Wall. specifically downregulated the gene expression of IL-6. The primary anti-inflammatory compounds were identified as O-coumaric acid, rhamnetin, cucurbitacin H, and harpagoside. The findings offer a promising platform to inform future applications of traditional medicinal plants in functional food and pharmaceutical ingredients development.