Sepsis results from uncontrolled inflammation, characterized by cytokine storm and immunoparalysis. To assess whether galgravin, a natural lignan isolated from Piper kadsura, can be used to treat sepsis, models of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages and LPS-induced endotoxemia mice were used. Galgravin suppressed NF-κB activation in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages without causing significant cytotoxicity, in which proinflammatory molecules like TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, and COX-2 were downregulated. In addition, the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 was also suppressed by galgravin in LPS-activated murine bone marrow-derived macrophages. Moreover, galgravin significantly downregulated the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and iNOS in the lungs and decreased TNF-α and IL-6 in the serum and IL-6 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of LPS-challenged mice. The COX-2 expression in tissues, including the lung, liver, and kidney, as well as the lung alveolar hemorrhage, was also reduced by galgravin. The present study reveals the anti-inflammatory effects of galgravin in mouse models and implies its potential application in inflammation diseases.
Keywords: NF-κB; Piper kadsura; galgravin; inflammation; lipopolysaccharide; sepsis.