Nakdong River institute confirms anti-inflammatory properties in violet extract

The National Institute of Biological Resources of the Nakdong River confirmed Monday that extracts from Viola verecunda, a freshwater violet species, suppress inflammatory responses.

Researchers have been conducting studies since 2026 to identify new biological properties of the plant.

In the latest research, macrophages with induced inflammation were treated with extracts from the whole plant, roots and leaves of Viola verecunda at varying concentrations. The team then analyzed changes in nitric oxide (NO) production and the expression of inflammation-related factors.

When each extract was applied at a concentration of 100 micrograms per milliliter, all three suppressed nitric oxide production compared with an inflammation-induced control group. Inhibition rates were 71.59 percent for the whole-plant extract, 67.22 percent for the root extract and 73.94 percent for the leaf extract.

The researchers also found that all three extracts inhibited the phosphorylation of IκBα, a protein involved in regulating inflammatory responses.

The findings suggest that Viola verecunda extracts may suppress the activation of inflammation-related signaling pathways.

Based on the results, the research team filed a patent in September for the anti-inflammatory applications of the extracts.

Jung Yu-jin, head of the institute's applied technology development division, said the study confirmed the anti-inflammatory effects of the freshwater plant at the cellular level and expressed hope that the extracts could be developed into functional materials for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.