Comparative Analysis of Anti-Inflammatory Biomarkers in Response to Kolaviron Treatment in a Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation Model

Kolaviron, a biflavonoid complex isolated from Garcinia kola seeds widely consumed in South South and South West Nigeria, has demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory properties in preliminary studies. However, its precise mechanisms of action across key inflammatory signalling cascades remain incompletely characterised, limiting its translation into clinical anti-inflammatory formulations. This study comparatively analyses the effects of kolaviron on pro-inflammatory biomarkers in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation model using RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and a Wistar rat systemic inflammation model. LPS (1 ug/mL in vitro; 5 mg/kg i.p. in vivo) was used to induce inflammation. Kolaviron was administered at 50, 100, and 200 ug/mL in vitro and 100, 200 mg/kg in vivo. Biomarkers evaluated included TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1beta, iNOS expression, NF-kB activation, COX-2 expression, and serum C-reactive protein. Kolaviron produced concentration-dependent suppression of all assessed pro-inflammatory markers in both models. NF-kB nuclear translocation was significantly inhibited at 100 ug/mL in the macrophage model. COX-2 and iNOS protein expression were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner. These results identify NF-kB pathway suppression as a primary anti-inflammatory mechanism of kolaviron and provide a pharmacological rationale for developing standardised Garcinia kola-derived anti-inflammatory formulations for clinical trials in Nigeria. Keywords: kolaviron, anti-inflammatory, NF-kB, Garcinia kola, cytokines