The anti-inflammatory efficacy of dexamethasone is protected by (−)-epicatechin

Abstract

Abstract Dexamethasone and other glucocorticoids (GCs) are used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. However, in diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease GC resistance can develop. Our study examines (−)-epicatechin, a dietary compound known to display anti-inflammatory action, as adjuvant to prevent GC resistance. The anti-inflammatory potency of dexamethasone was determined in a carefully characterized system of monocytes differentiated to macrophage-like cells. The LPS induced IL-8 release was measured after pre-incubation with H 2 O 2 and (−)-epicatechin. We show that dexamethasone could efficiently suppress LPS induced inflammation and that exposure to H 2 O 2 induced GC resistance. The anti-inflammatory effect of dexamethasone was protected by (−)-epicatechin in the oxidant exposed cells. These results show that the natural antioxidant (−)-epicatechin may be used as an adjuvant therapy to restore or preserve the efficacy of GC drugs and thereby improving the treatment of inflammation.