21-O-angeloyltheasapogenol E3, a novel triterpenoid saponin from the seeds of tea plants, inhibits macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses in a NF-κB-dependent manner

Mediators Inflamm. 2014:2014:658351. doi: 10.1155/2014/658351. Epub 2014 Nov 10.

Abstract

21-O-Angeloyltheasapogenol E3 (ATS-E3) is a triterpenoid saponin recently isolated from the seeds of the tea tree Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze. ATS-E3 has several beneficial properties including anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiatherosclerotic, and anticancer effects. Unlike other phenolic compounds isolated from tea plants, there are no studies reporting the pharmacological action of ATS-E3. In this study, we therefore aimed to explore the cellular and molecular inhibitory activities of ATS-E3 in macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses. ATS-E3 remarkably diminished cellular responses of macrophages such as FITC-dextran-induced phagocytic uptake, sodium nitroprusside- (SNP-) induced radical generation, and LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production. Analysis of its molecular activity showed that this compound significantly suppressed the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), nuclear translocation of nuclear factor- (NF-) κB subunits (p50 and p65), phosphorylation of inhibitor of κB kinase (IKK), and the enzyme activity of AKT1. Taken together, the novel triterpenoid saponin compound ATS-E3 contributes to the beneficial effects of tea plants by exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities in an AKT/IKK/NF-κB-dependent manner.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Camellia sinensis
  • Cell Line
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / prevention & control
  • Macrophages / drug effects*
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis
  • Saponins / isolation & purification
  • Saponins / pharmacology*
  • Seeds
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Triterpenes / isolation & purification
  • Triterpenes / pharmacology*

Substances

  • 21-O-angeloyltheasapogenol E3
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • NF-kappa B
  • Saponins
  • Triterpenes
  • Nitric Oxide