Anti-inflammatory activity of baicalein in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages via estrogen receptor and NF-κB-dependent pathways

Inflammation. 2013 Dec;36(6):1584-91. doi: 10.1007/s10753-013-9703-2.

Abstract

Baicalein has been used for many years as a popular antiviral and antibacterial in China. Recent investigations revealed that baicalein also has anti-inflammatory activities. Our results indicated that baicalein increases ERE-luciferase activity in an estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent manner when either ERα or ERβ were coexpressed in Hela cells. This study examined whether baicalein exerts an anti-inflammatory effect in RAW264.7 cells through an estrogen receptor-dependent pathway and through regulation of NF-ĸB activation. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells, baicalein exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting iNOS, COX-2, and TNF-α mRNA expression; NO production; as well as inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β, PGE2, and TNF-α) production through an ER-dependent pathway. These effects are accompanied with the inhibition of the transcription factor NF-ĸB activation and IκBα phosphorylation. We therefore conclude that baicalein inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine production via regulation of the NF-ĸB pathway and estrogen-like activity, suggesting that it may be useful for preventing inflammation-related diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / biosynthesis
  • Dinoprostone / biosynthesis
  • Flavanones / pharmacology*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • I-kappa B Proteins / metabolism
  • Interleukin-1beta / biosynthesis
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Macrophages / drug effects*
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional
  • Mice
  • NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / biosynthesis
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Flavanones
  • I-kappa B Proteins
  • IL1B protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B
  • NFKBIA protein, human
  • Nfkbia protein, mouse
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha
  • Nitric Oxide
  • baicalein
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Nos2 protein, mouse
  • Ptgs2 protein, mouse
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Dinoprostone