title: In vitroandin vivoassessment of inhibitory effect of stevioside on pro-inflammatory cytokines.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Stevioside is a natural non-caloric sweetener which has been reported to have anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of the present study was to examinein vitroandin vivoeffects of stevioside on rats plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), TNF-α and IL-1β release from lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated rat peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Male wistar rats weighing between 170-220 g were given stevioside (0, 500 and 1000 mg/kg BW/day) for 6 weeks. Mononuclear cells were separated from peripheral blood samples. TNF-α and IL-1β levels in plasma and the release of TNF-α and IL-1β from PBMCs were determined using rat enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were found to be non-detectable in control and groups treated with 500 and 1000 mg/kg of stevioside. Regarding TNF-α release from LPS-stimulated PBMCs, rats that were orally fed with 500 and 1000 mg/kg of stevioside were significantly different (p<0.05) from those in LPS-treated control group (186.8+18.6 and 151.4 + 15.4 vs 248.6+21.4 pg/ml). Additionally, IL-1β levels in rats treated with 500 and 1000 mg/kg of stevioside were significantly different (p<0.05) from those in LPS-treated control group (220.0+12.1 and 158.1 + 22.6 vs 294.4+16.1 pg/ml).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consumption of stevioside has an inhibitory effect on the release of TNF-α and IL-1β from LPS-stimulated PBMCs in rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animal Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Jatuporn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Noosud
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Narissara
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lailerd
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Autchara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kayan
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Chaiwat
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boonkaewwan