Suppression of inducible nitric oxide production by indole and isothiocyanate derivatives from Brassica plants in stimulated macrophages

Planta Med. 2003 Aug;69(8):696-700. doi: 10.1055/s-2003-42790.

Abstract

In this study, the effects of bioactive compounds derived from vegetables of the Brassica genus (Brassicaceae) including 2-phenylethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), indole-3-carbinol (I3C), and indolo[3,2- b]carbazole (ICZ), on the inhibition of NO production in RAW 264.7 cells were explored. The results indicated that PEITC and I3C inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells, and this inhibition was in accordance with lowering the expression of iNOS protein and mRNA. On the contrary, ICZ, a derivative of I3C, had no significant effect on the stimulated NO production. In conclusion, the Brassica plants derivatives, PEITC and, to a lesser extent, I3C inhibit the LPS/IFN-gamma-induced NO production by lowering iNOS protein and mRNA expression in RAW 264.7 cells, in which the PEITC had a more potent inhibitory effect. Nevertheless, ICZ exhibits no inhibitory effect on the activated NO production (Indole-3-carbinol = indole-3-methanol).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Western
  • Brassica*
  • Cell Line
  • DNA Primers
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Humans
  • Indoles / pharmacology*
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Isothiocyanates / pharmacology*
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Macrophages / drug effects*
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis*
  • Nitric Oxide / genetics
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / biosynthesis
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / drug effects
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / genetics
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Indoles
  • Isothiocyanates
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Interferon-gamma
  • NOS2 protein, human
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II