Project description:Hypericum perforatum extracts have been used as dietary supplements to treat conditions including mild-moderate depression and inflammation. A group of four bioactive constituents were identified from an active fraction of the extract. In order to identify the mechanism for the potential anti-inflammatory activity of the identified compounds, we used Affymatrix microarray to study the gene expression profile impacteded by these compounds, as well as the active fraction in LPS-stimulated mouse macrophages. We treated RAW264.7 mouse macrophages with DMSO control, active fraction from Hypericum perforaum extract, and a combination of the 4 putative bioactive compounds, called the 4-component system, all with and without LPS induction. A total of six treatment combinations were included in the final gene expression analysis using microarray.
