Anti-inflammatory activity and potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Artemisia scoparia essential oil

OBJECTIVES: Artemisia scoparia is a perennial herb belonging to the Asteraceae family. Although research has shown that A. scoparia possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, the anti-inflammatory activity and mechanisms of A. scoparia essential oil (ASEO) remain poorly understood. METHODS: Anti-inflammatory activities and mechanisms of ASEO were investigated using cellular experiments, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), network pharmacology, and molecular docking. KEY FINDINGS: Cellular assays showed that ASEO ameliorated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells by inhibiting nitric oxide (NO), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production and thereby suppressing inflammation in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, the effect of ASEO (6.25 μg/mL) was stronger than that of the positive control dexamethasone (7.85 μg/mL). The network pharmacology and molecular docking results indicated that the key components (methyleugenol, L-α-terpineol, α-bisabolol, and α-cadinol) exerted significant anti-inflammatory effects by acting on the key targets [peroxisome proliferative activated receptor gamma (PPARG), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), E1A Binding Protein P300 (EP300), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARA), and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR)], and the main pathways involved were mainly the PPAR signaling pathway, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway, and serotonergic synapse. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that ASEO has great potential as a natural anti-inflammatory agent, its key compositions and multiple anti-inflammatory mechanisms make it a promising candidate for further research and development for clinical applications.