Root Bark of Paeonia suffruticosa Extract and Its Component Methyl Gallate Possess Peroxynitrite Scavenging Activity and Anti-Inflammatory Properties through NF-κB Inhibition in LPS-treated Mice

A peroxynitrite (ONOO(−))-generating system induced by 3-morpholinosydnonimine, was used to evaluate the ONOO(−) scavenging properties of plants that have been widely used as traditional medicine in Korea for the treatment of several diseases. The most effective medicinal plants were Paeonia suffruticosa Andrew, followed in order by Lonicera japonica Thunb., Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe, and Pueraria thunbergiana Benth. In addition, root bark of P. suffruticosa was partitioned with organic solvents of different polarities, and the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction showed the strongest ONOO(−) scavenging activity. Methyl gallate, a plant-derived phenolic compound identified from the EtOAc fraction, exerted strong ONOO(−) scavenging activity. The in vivo therapeutic potential of methyl gallate was investigated using lipopolysaccharide-treated mice. Oral administration of methyl gallate protected against acute renal injury and exhibited potential anti-inflammatory properties through an increase in antioxidant activity and decrease in nuclear factor-kappa B activity.