scholarly journals Targeting connexin 43 provides anti-inflammatory effects after intracerebral hemorrhage injury by regulating YAP signaling

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hailong Yu ◽  
Xiang Cao ◽  
Wei Li ◽  
Pinyi Liu ◽  
Yuanyuan Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽  
Connexin 43 ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Proximity Ligation Assay ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Cx43 Expression ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Abstract Background In the central nervous system (CNS), connexin 43 (Cx43) is mainly expressed in astrocytes and regulates astrocytic network homeostasis. Similar to Cx43 overexpression, abnormal excessive opening of Cx43 hemichannels (Cx43Hcs) on reactive astrocytes aggravates the inflammatory response and cell death in CNS pathologies. However, the role of excessive Cx43Hc opening in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) injury is not clear. Methods Hemin stimulation in primary cells and collagenase IV injection in C57BL/6J (B6) mice were used as ICH models in vitro and in vivo. After ICH injury, the Cx43 mimetic peptide Gap19 was used for treatment. Ethidium bromide (EtBr) uptake assays were used to measure the opening of Cx43Hcs. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to measure protein expression. qRT-PCR and ELISA were used to determine the levels of cytokines. Coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and the Duolink in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) were applied to measure the association between proteins. Results In this study, Cx43 expression upregulation and excessive Cx43Hc opening was observed in mice after ICH injury. Delayed treatment with Gap19 significantly alleviated hematoma volume and neurological deficits after ICH injury. In addition, Gap19 decreased inflammatory cytokine levels in the tissue surrounding the hematoma and decreased reactive astrogliosis after ICH injury in vitro and in vivo. Intriguingly, Cx43 transcriptional activity and expression in astrocytes were significantly increased after hemin stimulation in culture. However, Gap19 treatment downregulated astrocytic Cx43 expression through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway without affecting Cx43 transcription. Additionally, our data showed that Gap19 increased Yes-associated protein (YAP) nuclear translocation. This subsequently upregulated SOCS1 and SOCS3 expression and then inhibited the TLR4-NFκB and JAK2-STAT3 pathways in hemin-stimulated astrocytes. Finally, the YAP inhibitor, verteporfin (VP), reversed the anti-inflammatory effect of Gap19 in vitro and almost completely blocked its protective effects in vivo after ICH injury. Conclusions This study provides new insight into potential treatment strategies for ICH injury involving astroglial Cx43 and Cx43Hcs. Suppression of abnormal astroglial Cx43 expression and Cx43Hc opening by Gap19 has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects after ICH injury.

scholarly journals Targeting Connexin43 provides anti-inflammatory effects after intracerebral hemorrhage injury by regulating YAP signaling

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hailong Yu ◽  
Xiang Cao ◽  
Wei Li ◽  
Pinyi Liu ◽  
Yuanyuan Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Proximity Ligation Assay ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Cx43 Expression ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Abstract Background: In the central nervous system(CNS),Connexin43 (Cx43) is mainly expressed in astrocytes and regulates astrocytic network homeostasis. Like Cx43 overexpression,abnormal excessive opening of Cx43 hemichannels (Cx43Hcs) on reactive astrocytes aggravates the inflammatory response and cell death in CNS pathologies.However, the role of excessive Cx43Hc opening in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) injury is not clear.Methods: Hemin stimulation in primary cells and collagenase IV injection in C57BL/6J (B6) mice were used as ICH modals in vitro and vivo.Cx43 mimetic peptide Gap19 was treated after ICH injury. Ethidium bromide (EtBr) uptake assays was used to measure the opening of Hcs. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to measure the expression of protein. qRT-PCR and ELISA were used to determine the level of cytokines. Co-immunoprecipitation(Co-IP) and Duolink in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) were applied to measure the association between proteins.Results: In this study,Cx43 expression was upregulated, and excessive Cx43Hc opening was observed in mice after ICH injury. Delayed treatment with Gap19significantly alleviated hematoma volume and neurological deficits after ICH injury. In addition,Gap19 decreased inflammatory cytokine levels in the tissue surrounding the hematoma and decreased reactive astrogliosis after ICH injury in vitro and in vivo, as determined by GFAP staining. Intriguingly, Cx43 transcriptional activity and expression in astrocytes were significantly increased after hemin stimulation in culture.However,Gap19 treatment downregulated astrocytic Cx43 expression through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway without affecting Cx43 transcription. Additionally, our data showed that Gap19 increased YAP nuclear translocation, which upregulated SOCS1 and SOCS3 expression, and then inhibited the TLR4-NFκB and JAK2-STAT3 pathways in hemin-stimulated astrocytes. Finally, the YAP inhibitor verteporfin (VP) reversed the anti-inflammatory effect of Gap19 in vitro and almost completely blocked its protective effects in vivo after ICH injury.Conclusions: This study provides new insight into potential treatment strategies for ICH injury involving astroglial Cx43 and Cx43Hcs.Suppression of abnormal astroglial Cx43 expression and Cx43Hc opening by Gap19 plays anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective roles after ICH injury.

scholarly journals Nerolidol Mitigates Colonic Inflammation: An Experimental Study Using both In Vivo and In Vitro Models

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2032
Author(s):  
Vishnu Raj ◽  
Balaji Venkataraman ◽  
Saeeda Almarzooqi ◽  
Sanjana Chandran ◽  
Shreesh K. Ojha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Colonic Inflammation ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Cox 2 ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Ht 29

Nerolidol (NED) is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene alcohol present in various plants with potent anti-inflammatory effects. In the current study, we investigated NED as a putative anti-inflammatory compound in an experimental model of colonic inflammation. C57BL/6J male black mice (C57BL/6J) were administered 3% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in drinking water for 7 days to induce colitis. Six groups received either vehicle alone or DSS alone or DSS with oral NED (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg body weight/day by oral gavage) or DSS with sulfasalazine. Disease activity index (DAI), colonic histology, and biochemical parameters were measured. TNF-α-treated HT-29 cells were used as in vitro model of colonic inflammation to study NED (25 µM and 50 µM). NED significantly decreased the DAI and reduced the inflammation-associated changes in colon length as well as macroscopic and microscopic architecture of the colon. Changes in tissue Myeloperoxidase (MPO) concentrations, neutrophil and macrophage mRNA expression (CXCL2 and CCL2), and proinflammatory cytokine content (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) both at the protein and mRNA level were significantly reduced by NED. The increase in content of the proinflammatory enzymes, COX-2 and iNOS induced by DSS were also significantly inhibited by NED along with tissue nitrate levels. NED promoted Nrf2 nuclear translocation dose dependently. NED significantly increased antioxidant enzymes activity (Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT)), Hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1), and SOD3 mRNA levels. NED treatment in TNF-α-challenged HT-29 cells significantly decreased proinflammatory chemokines (CXCL1, IL-8, CCL2) and COX-2 mRNA levels. NED supplementation attenuates colon inflammation through its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity both in in vivo and in vitro models of colonic inflammation.

scholarly journals Purple Sweet Potato Color Ameliorates Cognition Deficits and Attenuates Oxidative Damage and Inflammation in Aging Mouse Brain Induced by D-Galactose

2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qun Shan ◽  
Jun Lu ◽  
Yuanlin Zheng ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Zhong Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sweet Potato ◽  
Mouse Brain ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Neuroprotective Effect ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Copper Zinc Superoxide Dismutase ◽  
Aging Mouse ◽  
Purple Sweet Potato

Purple sweet potato color (PSPC), a naturally occurring anthocyanin, has a powerful antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo. This study explores whether PSPC has the neuroprotective effect on the aging mouse brain induced by D-galactose (D-gal). The mice administrated with PSPC (100 mg/kg.day, 4 weeks, from 9th week) via oral gavage showed significantly improved behavior performance in the open field and passive avoidance test compared with D-gal-treated mice (500 mg/kg.day, 8 weeks). We further investigate the mechanism involved in neuroprotective effects of PSPC on mouse brain. Interestingly, we found, PSPC decreased the expression level of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inhibited nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), increased the activity of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) and catalase (CAT), and reduced the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), respectively. Our data suggested that PSPC attenuated D-gal-induced cognitive impairment partly via enhancing the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity.

scholarly journals Osthole Protects against Acute Lung Injury by Suppressing NF-κB-Dependent Inflammation

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiyi Jin ◽  
Jianchang Qian ◽  
Xin Ju ◽  
Xiaodong Bao ◽  
Li Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Lung Injury ◽  
Lung Injury ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Tissue Injury ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Peritoneal Macrophages ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Inflammation is a key factor in the pathogenesis of ALI. Therefore, suppression of inflammatory response could be a potential strategy to treat LPS-induced lung injury. Osthole, a natural coumarin extract, has been reported to protect against acute kidney injury through an anti-inflammatory mechanism, but its effect on ALI is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated whether osthole ameliorates inflammatory sepsis-related ALI. Results from in vitro studies indicated that osthole treatment inhibited the LPS-induced inflammatory response in mouse peritoneal macrophages through blocking the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Consistently, the in vivo studies indicated that osthole significantly prolonged the survival of septic mice which was accompanied by inflammation suppression. In the ALI mouse model, osthole effectively inhibited the development of lung tissue injury, leukocytic recruitment, and cytokine productions, which was associated with inhibition of NF-κB nuclear translocation. These findings provide evidence that osthole was a potent inhibitor of NF-κB and inflammatory injury and suggest that it could be a promising anti-inflammatory agent for therapy of septic shock and acute lung injury.

scholarly journals Fundamentally different roles of neuronal TNF receptors in CNS pathology: TNFR1 and IKKβ promote microglial responses and tissue injury in demyelination while TNFR2 protects against excitotoxicity in mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irini Papazian ◽  
Eleni Tsoukala ◽  
Athena Boutou ◽  
Maria Karamita ◽  
Konstantinos Kambas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Injury ◽  
Neuroprotective Effect ◽  
Glutamate Excitotoxicity ◽  
Tnf Receptors ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Cns Diseases ◽  
Cns Pathology ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Abstract Background During inflammatory demyelination, TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) mediates detrimental proinflammatory effects of soluble TNF (solTNF), whereas TNFR2 mediates beneficial effects of transmembrane TNF (tmTNF) through oligodendroglia, microglia, and possibly other cell types. This model supports the use of selective inhibitors of solTNF/TNFR1 as anti-inflammatory drugs for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. A potential obstacle is the neuroprotective effect of solTNF pretreatment described in cultured neurons, but the relevance in vivo is unknown. Methods To address this question, we generated mice with neuron-specific depletion of TNFR1, TNFR2, or inhibitor of NF-κB kinase subunit β (IKKβ), a main downstream mediator of TNFR signaling, and applied experimental models of inflammatory demyelination and acute and preconditioning glutamate excitotoxicity. We also investigated the molecular and cellular requirements of solTNF neuroprotection by generating astrocyte-neuron co-cultures with different combinations of wild-type (WT) and TNF and TNFR knockout cells and measuring N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) excitotoxicity in vitro. Results Neither neuronal TNFR1 nor TNFR2 protected mice during inflammatory demyelination. In fact, both neuronal TNFR1 and neuronal IKKβ promoted microglial responses and tissue injury, and TNFR1 was further required for oligodendrocyte loss and axonal damage in cuprizone-induced demyelination. In contrast, neuronal TNFR2 increased preconditioning protection in a kainic acid (KA) excitotoxicity model in mice and limited hippocampal neuron death. The protective effects of neuronal TNFR2 observed in vivo were further investigated in vitro. As previously described, pretreatment of astrocyte-neuron co-cultures with solTNF (and therefore TNFR1) protected them against NMDA excitotoxicity. However, protection was dependent on astrocyte, not neuronal TNFR1, on astrocyte tmTNF-neuronal TNFR2 interactions, and was reproduced by a TNFR2 agonist. Conclusions These results demonstrate that neuronal TNF receptors perform fundamentally different roles in CNS pathology in vivo, with neuronal TNFR1 and IKKβ promoting microglial inflammation and neurotoxicity in demyelination, and neuronal TNFR2 mediating neuroprotection in excitotoxicity. They also reveal that previously described neuroprotective effects of solTNF against glutamate excitotoxicity in vitro are indirect and mediated via astrocyte tmTNF-neuron TNFR2 interactions. These results consolidate the concept that selective inhibition of solTNF/TNFR1 with maintenance of TNFR2 function would have combined anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties required for safe treatment of CNS diseases.

scholarly journals Sympathetic Overactivity in CKD Disrupts Buffering of Neurotransmission by Endothelium-Derived Hyperpolarizing Factor and Enhances Vasoconstriction

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 2312-2325
Author(s):  
Wei Cao ◽  
Liling Wu ◽  
Xiaodong Zhang ◽  
Jing Zhou ◽  
Jian Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gap Junction ◽  
Vascular Resistance ◽  
Connexin 43 ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Resistance Arteries ◽  
Cx43 Expression ◽  
Neurovascular Transmission

BackgroundHypertension commonly complicates CKD. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of resistance arteries receive signals from the sympathetic nervous system that induce an endothelial cell (EC)–dependent anticontractile response that moderates vasoconstriction. However, the specific role of this pathway in the enhanced vasoconstriction in CKD is unknown.MethodsA mouse model of CKD hypertension generated with 5/6-nephrectomy (5/6Nx) was used to investigate the hypothesis that an impaired anticontractile mechanism enhances sympathetic vasoconstriction. In vivo, ex vivo (isolated mesenteric resistance arteries), and in vitro (VSMC and EC coculture) models demonstrated neurovascular transmission and its contribution to vascular resistance.ResultsBy 4 weeks, 5/6Nx mice (versus sham) had augmented increases in mesenteric vascular resistance and mean arterial pressure with carotid artery occlusion, accompanied by decreased connexin 43 (Cx43) expression at myoendothelial junctions (MEJs), impaired gap junction function, decreased EC-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH), and enhanced contractions. Exposure of VSMCs to NE for 24 hours in a vascular cell coculture decreased MEJ Cx43 expression and MEJ gap junction function. These changes preceded vascular structural changes evident only at week 8. Inhibition of central sympathetic outflow or transfection of Cx43 normalized neurovascular transmission and vasoconstriction in 5/6Nx mice.Conclusions5/6Nx mice have enhanced neurovascular transmission and vasoconstriction from an impaired EDH anticontractile component before vascular structural changes. These neurovascular changes depend on an enhanced sympathetic discharge that impairs the expression of Cx43 in gap junctions at MEJs, thereby interrupting EDH responses that normally moderate vascular tone. Dysregulation of neurovascular transmission may contribute to the development of hypertension in CKD.

scholarly journals Bexarotene Enhances Macrophage Erythrophagocytosis and Hematoma Clearance in Experimental Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 612-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Che-Feng Chang ◽  
Jordan Massey ◽  
Artem Osherov ◽  
Luís Henrique Angenendt da Costa ◽  
Lauren H. Sansing
Keyword(s):  
Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽  
Functional Recovery ◽  
Autologous Blood ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Macrophage Phenotype ◽  
Timely Manner ◽  
Collagenase Injection ◽  
Necrosis Factor

Background and Purpose— Enhancement of erythrophagocytosis by macrophages in a timely manner can limit the toxic effects of erythrocyte metabolites and promote brain recovery after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). In the current study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of retinoid X receptor agonist, bexarotene, in facilitating erythrophagocytosis and neurobehavioral recovery in 2 mouse models of ICH. Methods— Bone marrow-derived macrophages and fluorescently labeled erythrocytes were used to study erythrophagocytosis in vitro with phenotypic changes quantified by gene expression. ICH was modeled in vivo using intrastriatal autologous blood and collagenase injection in mice with and without bexarotene treatment beginning 3 hours after ICH. In vivo phagocytosis, ability and hematoma clearance were evaluated by erythrophagocytosis assays, flow cytometry, and histological analysis. Neurological deficits and functional recovery were also quantified. Results— Bexarotene increased macrophage expression of phagocytosis receptors and erythrophagocytosis and reduced macrophage TNF (tumor necrosis factor) production in vitro. In vivo, bexarotene treatment enhanced erythrophagocytosis, reduced hematoma volume, and ultimately improved neurological recovery after ICH in 2 distinct models of ICH. Conclusions— Bexarotene administration is beneficial for recovery after ICH by enhancing hemorrhage phagocytosis, modulating macrophage phenotype, and improving functional recovery.

scholarly journals Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Activities ofPhysalis Alkekengivar.franchetiiand Its Main Constituents

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zunpeng Shu ◽  
Na Xing ◽  
Qiuhong Wang ◽  
Xinli Li ◽  
Bingqing Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Inflammatory Activity ◽  
Prostaglandin E ◽  
Active Components ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

This study was designed to determine whether the 50% EtOH fraction from AB-8 macroporous resin fractionation of a 70% EtOH extract ofP. Alkekengi(50-EFP) has antibacterial and/or anti-inflammatory activity bothin vivoandin vitroand to investigate the mechanism of 50-EFP anti-inflammatory activity. Additionally, this study sought to define the chemical composition of 50-EFP. Results indicated that 50-EFP showed significant antibacterial activityin vitroand efficacyin vivo. Moreover, 50-EFP significantly reduced nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2(PGE2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 (IL-1), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) production in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated THP-1 cells. Nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) (examined at the protein level) in THP-1 cells were suppressed by 50-EFP, which inhibited nuclear translocation of p65. Consistent with this anti-inflammatory activityin vitro, 50-EFP reduced inflammation in both animal models. Finally, seventeen compounds (8 physalins and 9 flavones) were isolated as major components of 50-EFP. Our data demonstrate that 50-EFP has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities bothin vitroandin vivo. The anti-inflammatory effect appears to occur, at least in part, through the inhibition of nuclear translocation of p65. Moreover, physalins and flavones are probably the active components in 50-EFP that exert antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities.

scholarly journals Propofol Mediated Protection of the Brain From Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Through the Regulation of Microglial Connexin 43

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tingting Zhang ◽  
Yanyan Wang ◽  
Qin Xia ◽  
Zhiyi Tu ◽  
Jiajun Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Connexin 43 ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion Injury ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Neuronal Population ◽  
Neuronal Morphology ◽  
Microglial Cells ◽  
Cx43 Expression ◽  
The Brain

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a serious condition that leads to increased apoptosis of microglial and neurons in the brain. In this study, we identified that Cx43 expression level is significantly increased in the microglial cells during I/R injury. Using an in vitro model (hypoxia/reoxygenation-H/R injury), we observed that H/R injury leads to an increase in activation of microglial cells and increase in levels of pro-inflammatory markers such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Additionally, we could also observe significant increase in phosphorylation of Cx43 and Cav3.2 levels. To assess the role of H/R injured microglial cells on neuronal population, we cultured the neurons with conditioned media (MCS) from H/R injured microglial cells. Interestingly, we observed that microglial H/R injury significantly decreased Map2 expression and affected neuronal morphology. Further, we aimed to assess the effects of propofol on cerebral H/R injury, and observed that 40 μM propofol significantly decreased Cx43, Cx43 phosphorylation, and CaV3.2 levels. Additionally, propofol decreased apoptosis and increased Map2 expression levels in H/R injured neurons. Using silencing experiments, we confirmed that siCx43 could significantly improve the propofol’s rescue after H/R injury in both microglia and neurons. We further developed an in vivo MCAO (middle cerebral artery occlusion) rat model to understand the effect of propofol in I/R injury. Interestingly, propofol treatment and downregulation of Cx43 significantly decreased the infract volume and apoptosis in these MCAO rats. Thus, this study clearly establishes that propofol protects the brain against I/R injury through the downregulation of Cx43 in microglial cells.

scholarly journals Inhibition of Skin Inflammation by Scytonemin, an Ultraviolet Sunscreen Pigment

Marine Drugs ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 300
Author(s):  
Moo Rim Kang ◽  
Sun Ah Jo ◽  
Hyunju Lee ◽  
Yeo Dae Yoon ◽  
Joo-Hee Kwon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Skin Inflammation ◽  
Raw 264.7 Cells ◽  
Raw 264.7 ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Scytonemin is a yellow-green ultraviolet sunscreen pigment present in different genera of aquatic and terrestrial blue-green algae, including marine cyanobacteria. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory activities of scytonemin were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Topical application of scytonemin inhibited 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear swelling in BALB/c mice. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was also suppressed by scytonemin treatment in the TPA-treated ear of BALB/c mice. In addition, scytonemin inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of TNF-α and nitric oxide (NO) in RAW 264.7 cells, a murine macrophage-like cell line, and the mRNA expressions of TNF-α and iNOS were also suppressed by scytonemin in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Further study demonstrated that LPS-induced NF-κB activity was significantly suppressed by scytonemin treatment in RAW 264.7 cells. Our results also showed that the degradation of IκBα and nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit were blocked by scytonemin in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Collectively, these results suggest that scytonemin inhibits skin inflammation by blocking the expression of inflammatory mediators, and the anti-inflammatory effect of scytonemin is mediated, at least in part, by down-regulation of NF-κB activity. Our results also suggest that scytonemin might be used as a multi-function skin care ingredient for UV protection and anti-inflammation.

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