Monarda Fistulosa Flower Extract Decreases Interleukin-6 Production by Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Murine Macrophages.

Monarda fistulosa (M. fistulosa) is a flowering plant used as an herbal remedy due to its anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we sought to test the anti-inflammatory properties of a M. fistulosa methanolic flower crude extract and found that the extract decreased lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-6 cytokine production by RAW 264.7 macrophages. We went on to characterize potential anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds present in the methanolic extract of M. fistulosa flower using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and molecular networking analysis. In total, 183 compounds were putatively identified. These findings contribute to our knowledge of the anti-inflammatory medicinal properties and underlying chemistry of M. fistulosa.