Alpha-Tomatine Exhibits Anti-inflammatory Activity in Lipopolysaccharide-Activated Macrophages

Inflammation. 2015 Oct;38(5):1769-76. doi: 10.1007/s10753-015-0154-9.

Abstract

Alpha (α)-tomatine is the major saponin and occurs naturally in tomatoes, which has been confirmed to possess a variety of biological properties including antitumoral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. However, the anti-inflammatory mechanism of α-tomatine is not well understood. This study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of α-tomatine. Results showed that α-tomatine significantly suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages. Moreover, LPS-mediated nuclear translocation of the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB)-p65 and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 were attenuated after α-tomatine treatment. Still, LPS slightly promoted phosphorylation of Akt, and α-tomatine accelerated the phosphorylation of Akt in macrophages. Our findings indicate that α-tomatine may be a valuable therapeutic agent in the treatment of inflammation-related diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Inflammation Mediators / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides / toxicity*
  • Macrophages / drug effects*
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Tomatine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Tomatine / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • alpha-tomatine
  • Tomatine