Journal of Medicinal Plant and Herbal Therapy Research
ISSN: 2053-1826
Vol. 9(1), pp. 1-5, November 2022
doi.org/10.33500/jmphtr.2022.9.001

Efficacy of mullein extracts, Verbascum thapsus L. (Lamiales, Scrophulariaceae) in preventing and treating LPS induced inflammation in mouse granulosa cells

Jill Bennett-Toomey*, Makenna Seeley, Linda Mull Young and Vicki Abrams Motz

Department of Biology, School of Science Technology and Mathematics, Getty College of Arts and Sciences, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, 45810.

*To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: j-bennett-toomey@onu.edu.

Received 23 August, 2022; Received in revised form 26 September, 2022; Accepted 29 September, 2022.

Abstract

Keywords:
Anti-inflammatory, Herbal anti-inflammatory, Verbascoside, IL-6 suppression.

Verbascum thapsus L., common mullein, has been used in traditional folk medicine as an antibiotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agent. To validate use as an anti-inflammatory, hot acidic aqueous extracts of V. thapsus L. leaves were introduced into control cultures of mouse granulosa cells; as well as cell cultures pre and post treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Anti-inflammatory properties were demonstrated visually via immunocytochemistry (ICC) staining for transforming growth factor beta receptor II (TGFBRII). Cells subjected to mullein only, stained slightly darker than control cells and had few projections. LPS treated cells stained considerably darker and exhibited fewer projections. Those cells treated with mullein extracts prior to LPS administration were comparable to those that had received mullein after LPS administration. Those treated with LPS, pre and post treated with mullein were darker than the negative control but appreciably lighter than the LPS positive control. Quantification was achieved via IL-6 ELISA performed on the cell culture supernatant. IL-6 production following LPS was significantly decreased in both mullein pretreated (p=0.01) and post-treated cells (p=0.03) suggesting a role for mullein as an anti-inflammatory preventative and treatment.