Homoyessotoxin alleviates inflammatory responses by regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NFκB and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways

To explore the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of homoyessotoxin (hYTXs), a marine polyether toxin, by investigating its effects on key inflammatory signaling pathways and validating its therapeutic potential in vitro and in vivo.

Inflammation-related targets of hYTXs were predicted via network pharmacology, followed by molecular docking and dynamics simulations. LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages were used to assess cytokine release, ROS production, and protein expression. Anti-inflammatory efficacy was further verified in mouse models of LPS-induced systemic inflammation and xylene-induced ear edema.

hYTXs exhibited strong binding affinities with inflammatory targets such as TLR4 and NFκB1. In vitro, it significantly reduced IL-6 and TNF-α secretion, suppressed iNOS and COX-2 expression, inhibited LPS-TLR4 interaction and NFκB activation, and activated the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway. These effects were partly reversed by HO-1 inhibitor ZnPP IX. In vivo, hYTXs alleviated lung edema, reduced systemic cytokine levels, attenuated immune cell infiltration, and restored vascular integrity. It also reduced swelling and inflammatory protein expression in xylene-induced ear inflammation.

This study is the first to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory potential of hYTXs through dual regulation of the TLR4/MyD88/NFκB and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways. These findings suggest hYTXs as a promising marine-derived compound for treating inflammatory disorders. Further studies are warranted to elucidate its molecular targets and clinical applicability in conditions such as sepsis and sterile inflammation.