Inhibition of interleukin-2 production by myricetin in mouse EL-4 T cells

Arch Pharm Res. 2007 Sep;30(9):1075-9. doi: 10.1007/BF02980240.

Abstract

Myricetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid that is commonly found in tea, berries, fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs. This study examined the effects of myricetin on the production of interlukin-2 (IL-2), a potent T cell growth factor. Treatment with myricetin significantly inhibited the secretion of the IL-2 protein from mouse EL-4 T cells activated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus ionomycin (Io) in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometric analysis showed that myricetin suppressed the intracellular production of the IL-2 protein. Furthermore, the effects of myricetin on mRNA expression were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and it showed that myricetin reduced the expression of IL-2 mRNA induced by PMA plus Io. This suggests that myricetin has potential immunosuppressive effects by inhibiting the production of IL-2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Interleukin-2 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-2 / genetics
  • Mice
  • NF-kappa B / physiology
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / pharmacology

Substances

  • Flavonoids
  • Interleukin-2
  • NF-kappa B
  • RNA, Messenger
  • myricetin
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate