Alginate-derived polymannuronate (PM) is a type of polysaccharide found in edible brown seaweeds. Seleno-polymannuronate (Se-PM) was prepared from PM via synthesis using sulfation- and selenation-replacement reactions. The anti-inflammatory activity of Se-PM and its corresponding molecular mechanisms were investigated. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells, Se-PM significantly attenuated the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and reactive oxygen species (ROS); the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2); and the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, Se-PM remarkably suppressed the LPS-induced activation of the nuclear-factor (NF)-κB and mitogen-activated-protein-kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, Se-PM also decreased the production of proinflammatory mediators in LPS-triggered primary murine macrophages. Additionally, Se-PM inhibited the inflammatory response in the air-pouch inflammation model. These results might contribute to the overall understanding of the potential health benefits of Se-PM for food and drug applications.
Keywords: anti-inflammation; lipopolysaccharide; mitogen-activated protein kinase; nuclear factor κB; seleno-polymannuronate.