Anti‐Inflammatory Effects of Xanthones from Mangosteen in Primary Cultures of Human Adipocytes

Abstract

The xanthones, α‐ and γ‐ mangostin (MG), are major bioactive compounds found in mangosteen reported to have anti‐inflammatory activities in several murine models. Given the association between chronic, low grade inflammation and obesity, we examined the anti‐inflammatory effects of α‐ and γ‐ MG in primary cultures of human adipocytes in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). α‐ and γ‐MG significantly decreased LPS induction of inflammatory adipocytokines (i.e., TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, and MCP‐1). Moreover, α‐ and γ‐ MG attenuated LPS activation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) c‐jun NH2‐terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal‐related kinase (ERK), and p38. γ‐ MG was more effective than α‐ MG on an equimolar basis. Furthermore, γ‐MG, but not α‐MG, attenuated LPS‐mediated IκB‐α degradation and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) transcriptional activity. In conclusion, these data demonstrate for the first time that α‐ and γ‐ MG attenuate LPS‐mediated inflammation in human (pre)adipocytes by inhibiting MAPK or NF‐κB signaling. These data suggest that MG has the potential to attenuate chronic inflammation associated with obesity. (Supported by National Research Council of Thailand)Grant Funding SourceNational Research Council of Thailand