Protective effect of wogonin on inflammatory responses in BisGMA-treated macrophages through the inhibition of MAPK and NFκB pathways

Environ Toxicol. 2022 Dec;37(12):3007-3012. doi: 10.1002/tox.23655. Epub 2022 Sep 30.

Abstract

Composites, resins, and sealants that are commonly used in orthopedics and dentistry are based on 2,2-bis[p-(2'-hydroxy-3'-methacryloxypropoxy)phenylene]propane (BisGMA), which induces proinflammatory responses in macrophages. The present study aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory responses of wogonin, which is a natural dihydroxyl flavonoid compound, in BisGMA-treated macrophages. According to the findings, wogonin exhibits anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, anticancer, and antioxidative properties. The generation of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were noted to be inhibited by wogonin in BisGMA-treated macrophages. Furthermore, the production of proinflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 was reduced. In addition, BisGMA-induced nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 phosphorylation and inhibitor of κB (IκB) degradation were inhibited. Finally, the BisGMA-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including p38 MAPK, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was inhibited. All these effects were induced by wogonin in the macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner. Similar inhibitory effects of wogonin were observed on the production of NO and proinflammatory cytokines, expression of iNOS, phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and MAPK, and degradation of IκB. These results indicated that rutin is a potential anti-inflammatory agent for BisGMA-treated macrophages that undergo NFκB p65 phosphorylation and IκB degradation through upstream MAPK phosphorylation. Therefore, wogonin inhibits BisGMA-induced proinflammatory responses in macrophages through the regulation of the NFκB pathway and its upstream factor, MAPK.

Keywords: BisGMA; macrophage; proinflammatory cytokines; signal transduction; wogonin.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides* / pharmacology
  • Macrophages
  • NF-kappa B* / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • NF-kappa B
  • wogonin
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • Cytokines
  • Cyclooxygenase 2