Abstract
We have investigated the immunomodulatory effects of arctigenin, a dibenzyl butyrolactone lignan compound, on tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and nitric oxide (NO) production, and lymphocyte proliferation. Arctigenin inhibited strongly TNF-alpha production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine macrophage RAW264.7 and differentiated human macrophage U937 with IC50 values of 5.0 and 3.9 microM, respectively, without displaying cytotoxicity. The TNF-alpha inhibitory effect of arctigenin in lipopolysaccharide-triggered RAW264.7 cells was increased by co-treatment with several known TNF-alpha inhibitors. It also potently attenuated T and B cell proliferation stimulated by concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 values of 2.9 and 14.6 microM, respectively. In contrast, the compound showed a different pattern in lipopolysaccharide- and interferon (IFN)-gamma-induced NO production from RAW264.7 cells. Arctigenin inhibited NO release by IFN-gamma signal, whereas it significantly enhanced lipopolysaccharide-triggered NO production in RAW264.7 cells. The results suggested that arctigenin may regulate immune responses in activated macrophages and lymphocytes including TNF-alpha and NO production and lymphocyte proliferation.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
