Cottonseed Ethanol Extracts and Gossypol Regulate Anti-Inflammatory Tristetraprolin Family Gene Expression in Mouse Cells

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Bioactive plant extracts have been used for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. One of the major classes of bioactive compounds is plant polyphenols. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of cottonseed ethanol extracts and gossypol on the cytotoxicity and regulation of anti-inflammatory tristrataprolin (TTP) family gene expression in mouse cells. Methods Mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages and 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with various concentrations of cottonseed extracts, gossypol and lipopolysaccharides (LPS, as a control) for 2, 8, 24 and 72 h. MTT, qPCR and immunoblotting assays were used to evaluate the effects of cottonseed extracts, gossypol and LPS on cell viability and gene expression in the mouse cells. Results No cytotoxicity effect was observed in macrophages treated with extracts from the coat or kernel of glanded and glandless cottonseed. Similarly, the viability of mouse adipocytes was not affected by cottonseed extracts. In contrast, gossypol and LPS were toxic to macrophages but not adipocytes under high concentration or long time treatment. Cottonseed extracts exhibited modest effect on TTP family gene expression in macrophages but glandless cottonseed coat extract significantly increased TTP mRNA and protein levels with a magnitude similar to cinnamon and green tea polyphenol extract and insulin. Conclusions These results demonstrated that cottonseed extracts are harmless towards the mouse cells and that glandless cottonseed coat extract stimulates TTP gene expression. We propose that glandless cottonseed is a safe source of plant polyphenols with anti-inflammatory property. Funding Sources This work was supported by the USDA-ARS Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products National Program 306 through CRIS 6054-41,000-103-00-D. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.