Stevioside suppressed inflammatory cytokine secretion by downregulation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells

Inflammation. 2012 Oct;35(5):1669-75. doi: 10.1007/s10753-012-9483-0.

Abstract

Stevioside, a diterpene glycoside isolated from Stevia rebaudiana, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory properties. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism of stevioside in modifying lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced signal pathways in RAW264.7 cells. RAW264.7 cells were stimulated with LPS in the presence or absence of stevioside. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), inhibitory kappa B (IκBα) protein, p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were determined by western blot. The results showed that stevioside dose-dependently inhibited the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Western blot analysis showed that stevioside suppressed LPS-induced NF-κB activation, IκBa degradation, phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and P38. Our results suggest that stevioside exerts an anti-inflammatory property by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling and the release of proinflammatory cytokines. These findings suggest that stevioside may be a therapeutic agent against inflammatory diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Diterpenes, Kaurane / pharmacology*
  • Down-Regulation
  • Glucosides / pharmacology*
  • I-kappa B Proteins / metabolism
  • Inflammation / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-1beta / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-1beta / genetics
  • Interleukin-6 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects*
  • Macrophages / immunology*
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / biosynthesis
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B / biosynthesis
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Diterpenes, Kaurane
  • Glucosides
  • I-kappa B Proteins
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Interleukin-6
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • stevioside
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases