Inflammation is a pathological process that is known to be involved in numerous diseases. Microbial infection or tissue injury activates inflammatory responses, resulting in the induction of proinflammatory proteins including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Aster yomena is used in traditional Korean remedies to treat cough, asthma, and insect bites. Here, we investigated the effects of A. yomena extract (EAY) on the expression of COX-2 and iNOS induced by LPS. EAY inhibited NF-κB activation and IκBα degradation induced by LPS. EAY suppressed LPS-induced COX-2 and iNOS expression which are the target genes regulated through NF-κB activation in macrophages. EAY also suppressed LPS-induced nitrite production. These results suggest that EAY has the potential to be developed as a potent antiinflammatory drug.
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) induce an innate immune system. In general, there are two main pathways in TLRs: the myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-dependent and toll-interleukin-1 receptor domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-b (TRIF)-dependent pathways. In this study, it has been investigated whether eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), and arachidic acid (ACA), a saturated fatty acid (SFA), can modulate the TLR signaling pathways. EPA suppressed the activation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and the expression of Interferon gamma-induced protein (IP-10) induced by Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) or TLR4 agonists by targeting TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1); however, ACA did not. These results demonstrate that EPA inhibits the TRIF-dependent signaling in the TLR3 and TLR4 pathways. The results raise the possibility that certain dietary PUFAs can modulate TLR-derived signaling and inflammatory target gene expression and can alter the susceptibility to microbial infection and chronic inflammatory diseases.
Practical applicationEicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is a bioactive lipid that modulates inflammation and immunity. TLRs play a central role as initiators of the innate immune responses. EPA regulates TRIF-dependent pathways of TLRs by targeting TBK1. EPA may be a useful strategy to understand the mechanism of antiinflammatory activities.
K E Y W O R D Sarachidic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, TBK1, Toll-like receptor, TRIF
Inflammation is a pathophysiological process that is known to be involved in numerous diseases. Microbial infection or tissue injury activates inflammatory responses, resulting in the induction of proinflammatory proteins including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Aster yomena is used in traditional Korean remedies. Here, we investigated the effects of ethanol extracts of Aster yomena (EAY) on the expression of iNOS induced by ovalbumin (OVA), one of the major egg allergens, or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a Toll-like receptor 4 agonist. EAY inhibited OVA-or LPS-induced NF-κB activation. EAY also suppressed OVA-or LPS-induced iNOS expression and nitrite production. These results suggest that EAY has the specific mechanism for anti-inflammatory responses and the potential to be developed as a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic drug.
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