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Sulforaphane suppressed LPS-induced inflammation in mouse peritoneal macrophages through Nrf2 dependent pathway

Wen Lin1, Rachel T Wu, Tienyuan Wu

  • 1Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Science, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.

Biochemical Pharmacology
|August 30, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Sulforaphane (SFN), a compound in cruciferous vegetables, shows anti-inflammatory effects by activating Nrf2. This pathway is crucial for SFN

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Sulforaphane (SFN) is a natural isothiocyanate found in cruciferous vegetables.
  • SFN has demonstrated anti-carcinogenic properties, partly due to its anti-inflammatory effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of SFN on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages.
  • To compare the efficacy of SFN in Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) wild-type and knockout mouse models.

Main Methods:

  • Primary peritoneal macrophages were isolated from Nrf2 (+/+) and Nrf2 (-/-) mice.
  • Macrophages were pretreated with SFN and subsequently stimulated with LPS.
  • mRNA and protein expression of inflammatory markers (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, COX-2, iNOS) and HO-1 were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • SFN significantly inhibited LPS-induced mRNA and protein expression of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, COX-2, and iNOS in Nrf2 (+/+) macrophages.
  • SFN markedly increased HO-1 expression in LPS-stimulated Nrf2 (+/+) macrophages.
  • The anti-inflammatory effects of SFN were attenuated in Nrf2 (-/-) macrophages.

Conclusions:

  • Sulforaphane exerts its primary anti-inflammatory activity through the activation of the Nrf2 pathway in mouse peritoneal macrophages.
  • Nrf2 is a key mediator of SFN's protective effects against inflammation.

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