Apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide inhibits LPS-induced inflammation through the inactivation of AP-1 and MAPK signaling pathways in RAW 264.7 macrophages and protects mice against endotoxin shock

Food Funct. 2016 Feb;7(2):1002-13. doi: 10.1039/c5fo01212k.

Abstract

Apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide (AG), an active flavonoid derivative isolated from the agricultural residue of Juglans sigillata fruit husks, possesses multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-oxidant, anti-complement, and aldose reductase inhibitory activities. To date, no report has identified the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of AG. This study was therefore designed to characterize the molecular mechanisms of AG on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory cytokines in RAW 264.7 cells and on endotoxin-induced shock in mice. AG suppressed the release of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages in a dose-dependent manner without affecting cell viability. Additionally, AG suppressed LPS-induced mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and TNF-α. AG treatment decreased the translocation of c-Jun into the nucleus, and decreased activator protein-1 (AP-1)-mediated luciferase activity through the inhibition of both p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Consistent with the in vitro observations, AG protected mice from LPS-induced endotoxin shock by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine production. Taken together, these results suggest that AG may be used as a source of anti-inflammatory agents as well as a dietary complement for health promotion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Apigenin / pharmacology*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / genetics
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism
  • Dinoprostone / metabolism
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Inflammation / chemically induced
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Juglans / chemistry
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects*
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / genetics
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / genetics
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / metabolism*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / genetics
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Plant Extracts
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Transcription Factor AP-1
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • apigenin-7-O-glucuronide
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Apigenin
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Nos2 protein, mouse
  • Ptgs2 protein, mouse
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Dinoprostone