The antiinflammatory effects of functionally active compounds isolated from aged black garlic (AGE-1 and
AGE-2) were investigated using a lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response model. To examine the
potential antiinflammatory properties of AGE-1 and AGE-2, cell viability as well as nitric oxide, prostaglandin
E2, and pro-inflammatory cytokine [interleukin-6 (IL-6), TNF-α, and IL-1β] levels were measured. The mRNA
and protein expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 were detected by reverse
transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The results indicated that AGE-1 and AGE-2 were
not cytotoxic to macrophages. Nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 levels decreased significantly with increasing
concentration of AGE-1 (IC50 = 29.6 and 1.41 μg/mL, respectively), but not AGE-2. The secretion of IL-6,
TNF-α, and IL-1β was also suppressed by AGE-1 in a dose-dependent manner, and inducible nitric oxide
synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA, and protein expression decreased with AGE-1 treatment. Furthermore,
AGE-1 attenuated the phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38, and c-Jun terminal
kinase in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells. These results suggested that compound AGE-1 may have
significant effects on inflammatory factors and could potentially be used as an antiinflammatory therapeutic
agent. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.