Roburic Acid Suppresses NO and IL-6 Production via Targeting NF-κB and MAPK Pathway in RAW264.7 Cells

Inflammation. 2017 Dec;40(6):1959-1966. doi: 10.1007/s10753-017-0636-z.

Abstract

In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of roburic acid on production of nitric oxide (NO) and interlukin-6 (IL-6) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. We found that roburic acid reduced production of NO and IL-6, and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS). Meanwhile, phosphorylation of inhibitor of κBα (IκBα) and IκB kinase α/β (IKKα/β), as well as translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) to the nucleus, was suppressed by roburic acid treatment. In addition, phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) including p38 and c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) was inhibited. Roburic acid exhibited inhibitory activities on production of NO and IL-6 via blocking IKK/IκB/NF-κB and MAPKs pathway, suggesting the potential application as a drug candidate for therapy of inflammatory diseases.

Keywords: IL-6; MAPKs; NF-κB; NO; inflammation; roburic acid.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gentianaceae / chemistry
  • I-kappa B Kinase / drug effects
  • I-kappa B Proteins / drug effects
  • Interleukin-6 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-6 / biosynthesis*
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects*
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • NF-kappa B / drug effects*
  • Nitric Oxide / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis*
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • Triterpenes / pharmacology*

Substances

  • I-kappa B Proteins
  • Interleukin-6
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B
  • Triterpenes
  • Nitric Oxide
  • I-kappa B Kinase