Berteroin Suppresses Inflammatory Responses via NF‐κB signaling in Macrophages and Mouse Skin

Abstract

Berteroin (5‐methylthiopentyl isothiocyanate) is a sulforaphane analog found in cruciferous vegetables including Chinese cabbage, rucola salad leaves, and mustard oil. The present study examined in vitro and in vivo anti‐inflammatory effects of berteroin. Berterion decreased LPS‐induced release of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 in Raw264.7 macrophages, which was accompanied by decreases in the protein expression and transcriptional activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), respectively. Additionally, berteroin decreased LPS‐induced increases in the protein and mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐1β. Berteroin inhibited LPS‐induced degradation of inhibitor of κBα and translocation of p65 subunit of NF‐κB to the nucleus. In addition, berteroin inhibited LPS‐induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, and Akt. Furthermore, berteroin suppressed TPA‐induced inflammatory responses in the mouse ear and down‐regulated the expression of iNOS and COX‐2 as well as the phosphoryation of ERK1/2 in mouse skin. We demonstrated that berteroin exhibits potent anti‐inflammatory properties that are associated with the inhibition of transcription and protein expression of iNOS, COX‐2, TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐1β, which is accompanied by decrease activation of NF‐κB as well as signaling molecules including ERK1/2, Akt and p38 MAPK.