Inhibition of the P2X7/NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling Pathway by Deacetylgedunin from Toona sinensis

J Nat Prod. 2022 May 27;85(5):1388-1397. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c00203. Epub 2022 Apr 15.

Abstract

Limonoids are considered the effective part in Meliaceae plants that exert anti-inflammatory effects. Gedunin-type limonoids specifically have anti-inflammatory effects. However, the role of gedunin-type limonoids in the inflammatory diseases mediated by NLRP3 inflammasome remains to be explored. We found that deacetylgudunin (DAG), a gedunin-type limonoid from Toona sinensis, had similar anti-inflammatory effects and lower toxicity than gedunin. Further studies showed that DAG down-regulated the NF-κB pathway, inhibited K+ efflux and ROS release, inhibited ASC oligomerization, and significantly weakened the interaction of NLRP3 with ASC and NEK7. Furthermore, DAG could not further inhibit IL-1β secretion and K+ efflux when combined with the P2X7 inhibitor A438079. In conclusion, our research revealed that DAG exerted an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the P2X7/NLRP3 signaling pathway and enriched the application of gedunin-type limonoids in inflammatory diseases driven by the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Inflammasomes* / metabolism
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Limonins* / pharmacology
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Toona

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Inflammasomes
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Limonins
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein