Fig. 4.

Ashwagandha attenuated LPS-induced CCL2 and CCL5 gene expression and NF-κB activation. Confluent NRK-52E cells were treated for 24 h with water-soluble extracts of ashwagandha (Ash; 1:100). After 24 h, cells were challenged with 2 or 10 ng/ml of LPS for 24 h alone or in the presence of the ashwaganda extract. CCL2 and 5 gene expression was determined by qPCR (top) while NF-κB activation was assessed using a reporter cell line (bottom). Each data point represents the mean ± SD of three replicate cultures, repeated twice, * indicates a significant difference as compared to control (no botanical, no LPS), # indicates a significant difference from LPS-challenged cultures