Extracellular signal-regulated kinase is a direct target of the anti-inflammatory compound amentoflavone derived from Torreya nucifera

Mediators Inflamm. 2013:2013:761506. doi: 10.1155/2013/761506. Epub 2013 Jul 21.

Abstract

Amentoflavone is a biflavonoid compound with antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and UV-blocking activities that can be isolated from Torreya nucifera, Biophytum sensitivum, and Selaginella tamariscina. In this study, the molecular mechanism underlying amentoflavone's anti-inflammatory activity was investigated. Amentoflavone dose dependently suppressed the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with the TLR4 ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS; derived from Gram-negative bacteria). Amentoflavone suppressed the nuclear translocation of c-Fos, a subunit of activator protein (AP)-1, at 60 min after LPS stimulation and inhibited the activity of purified and immunoprecipitated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), which mediates c-Fos translocation. In agreement with these results, amentoflavone also suppressed the formation of a molecular complex including ERK and c-Fos. Therefore, our data strongly suggest that amentoflavone's immunopharmacological activities are due to its direct effect on ERK.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biflavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Cell Survival
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Dinoprostone / metabolism
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / drug effects
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Lipopolysaccharides / metabolism
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / metabolism
  • Taxaceae / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Biflavonoids
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Plant Extracts
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos
  • Transcription Factor AP-1
  • Nitric Oxide
  • amentoflavone
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • Dinoprostone