Honokiol: an effective inhibitor of high-glucose-induced upregulation of inflammatory cytokine production in human renal mesangial cells.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the regulatory effects of honokiol on high-glucose (HG)-induced inflammatory responses of human renal mesangial cells (HRMCs).


METHODS
We performed MTS assays to determine the non-cytotoxic concentration of honokiol for HRMCs. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to analyze the expressions of the proteins interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, RANTES, and prostaglandin (PG) E2. The total nitric oxide (NO) concentration was determined using the Griess reaction.


RESULTS
Treatment with 50 mmol/L glucose markedly increased the level of IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α, PGE2, NO, TGF-β1, MCP-1, MIP-1α, and RANTES. Honokiol (~20 μmol/L) treatment inhibited the HG-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α, PGE2, NO, and TGF-β1 in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, it markedly inhibited the expression of chemokines such as MCP-1, MIP-1α, and RANTES, which are upregulated under HG conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Honokiol inhibits the HG-induced expression of inflammatory factors in HRMCs. Honokiol may be considered a promising drug with potent anti-inflammatory activities in addition to its strong anti-cancer, anti-angiogenesis, and anti-neurodegenerative effects.
Wu
Jian-Ping
JP
Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Zhang
Wei
W
Wu
Fang
F
Zhao
Ying
Y
Cheng
Lin-Fang
LF
Xie
Jun-Jun
JJ
Yao
Hang-Ping
HP
D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D017705:Lignans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050527:Mesangial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D000498:Allyl Compounds; D010636:Phenols
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D016207:Cytokines; D005947:Glucose; D017705:Lignans; C005499:honokiol; D000498:Allyl Compounds; D010636:Phenols