title: Inhibition of interleukin-12 production in lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse macrophages by hpyericin, an active component of Hypericum perforatum.
abstract: Hypericin, an active component of Hypericum perforatum, was evaluated for the regulation of interleukin-12 (IL-12) production in mouse macrophages. Hypericin significantly inhibited IL-12 production in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 1.45 micrograms/ml). Furthermore, hypericin potently inhibited the activation of IL-12 gene promoter, suggesting that hypericin negatively regulated IL-12 production at the transcription level. These results may explain some known biological activities of hypericin including its anti-rheumatic effect.
authors.forename: B Y
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D020902:Hypericum / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010936:Plant Extracts