Andrographolide inhibits expression of TNF-α and IL-12 in activated macrophages / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective: To observe the effect of andrographolide on the expression of TNF-α and IL-12 in activated macrophages. Methods: The peritoneal macrophages were harvested from mice intraperitoneally injected with thioglycollate. The macrophages were pretreated with andrographolide and then stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. RT-PCR was used to examine the expression of TNF-α, IL-12a, and IL-12b in the macrophages, and ELISA was used to measure the protein levels of TNF-α and IL-12 in the supernatant. Results: Andrographolide inhibited the mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-12a, and IL-12b, and the protein levels of TNF-α and IL-12 in activated macrophages, and the inhibition increased with the increase of andrographolide concentration. Andrographolide at 12 μg/ml (P<0.05) and 25 μg/ml (P<0.01) significantly inhibited TNF-α mRNA level in macrophages; andrographolide at 1 μg/ml (P<0.05) and 12 μg/ml (P< 0.01) significantly inhibited TNF-α protein level (P<0.01). Andrographolide at 1 μg/ml significantly inhibited IL-12b mRNA level and at 12 μg/ml significantly inhibited IL-12a mRNA level (P<0.01); and andrographolide at 1 μg/ml also significantly inhibited IL-12 protein level (P<0.01). Conclusion: Andrographolide can inhibit both the expression of TNF-α and IL-12 in activated macrophages.