Biomol Ther.  2013 Nov;21(6):435-441.

Emodin Isolated from Polygoni cuspidati Radix Inhibits TNF-alpha and IL-6 Release by Blockading NF-kappaB and MAP Kinase Pathways in Mast Cells Stimulated with PMA Plus A23187

• Lu Y
• Jeong YT
• Li X
• Kim MJ
• Park PH
• Hwang SL
• Son JK
• Chang HW

Abstract

Emodin, a naturally occurring anthraquinone derivative isolated from Polygoni cuspidati radix, has several beneficial pharmacologic effects, which include anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, the authors examined the effect of emodin on the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6, in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus the calcium ionophore A23187. To investigate the mechanism responsible for the regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine production by emodin, the authors assessed its effects on the activations of transcriptional factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Emodin attenuated the nuclear translocation of (NF)-kappaB p65 and its DNA-binding activity by reducing the phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaBalpha and the phosphorylation of IkappaB kinase B (IKK). Furthermore, emodin dose-dependently attenuated the phosphorylations of MAPKs, such as, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 MAP kinase, and the stress-activated protein kinases (SAPK)/c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK). Taken together, the findings of this study suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of emodin on PMA plus A23187-stimulated BMMCs are mediated via the inhibition of NF-kappaB activation and of the MAPK pathway.

Keyword

Emodin; Pro-inflammatory cytokine; NF-kappaB; Mitogen-activated protein kinase; Bone marrow-derived mast cells; PMA plus A23187

MeSH Terms

Animals
Calcimycin*
Calcium
Cytokines
Emodin*
I-kappa B Kinase
Interleukin-6*
Interleukins
Mast Cells*
Mice
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
NF-kappa B*
p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
Phosphorylation
Phosphotransferases*
Protein Kinases
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*
Calcimycin
Calcium
Cytokines
Emodin
I-kappa B Kinase
Interleukin-6
Interleukins
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
NF-kappa B
Phosphotransferases
Protein Kinases
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases