Anti-inflammatory effects of violaxanthin isolated from microalga Chlorella ellipsoidea in RAW 264.7 macrophages.
Violaxanthin is a major carotenoid of microalgae Chlorella ellipsoidea and is also found in dark-green leafy vegetables, such as spinach. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effect of violaxanthin isolated from C. ellipsoidea was examined using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells. In addition, the anti-inflammatory activity and mechanism of action of purified violaxanthin was assessed using various assays, such as quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blotting, and electrophoretic-mobility shift assay (EMSA). The results of this combined analysis revealed that violaxanthin significantly inhibited nitric oxide (NO) and the prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂). Interestingly, violaxanthin effectively inhibited LPS-mediated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 subunit translocation into the nucleus, suggesting that the violaxanthin anti-inflammatory activity may be based on inhibition of the NF-κB pathways. In conclusion, violaxanthin of C. ellipsoidea holds promise for use as a potential anti-inflammatory agent for either therapeutic or functional adjuvant purposes.
Department of Marine Food Science and Technology, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung 210-702, Republic of Korea.
Waesarat
W
Soontornchaiboon
Seong Soo
SS
Joo
Sang Moo
SM
Kim
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002708:Chlorella; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D058086:Microalgae; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA / Q000378:metabolism; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000494:pharmacology
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA; D024341:Xanthophylls; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C005613:violaxanthin; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C496317:Nos2 protein, mouse; C077623:Ptgs2 protein, mouse; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D015232:Dinoprostone