Corn Silk Induced Cyclooxygenase-2 in Murine Macrophages

Abstract

Stimulation of murine macrophages with corn silk induced cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 with secretion of PGE₂. Expression of COX-2 was inhibited by pyrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), and increased DNA binding by nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), indicating that COX-2 induction proceeds also via the NF-κB signaling pathway. A specific inhibitor of COX-2 decreased the expression level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) stimulated by corn silk. PGE₂ elevated the expression level of iNOS, probably via EP2 and EP4 receptors on the surface of the macrophages.