Cucurbitacin E Potently Modulates the Activity of Encephalitogenic Cells
2016
Authors:
Jevtić, BojanNikolovski, Neda
Stanisavljević, Suzana
Despotović, Jovana
Miljković, Đorđe
Timotijević, Gordana
Document Type:
Article (Published version)
,
© 2016 American Chemical Society
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract:
Cucurbitacin E (CucE) is a highly oxidized steroid consisting of a tetracyclic triterpene. It is a member of a Cucurbitacin family of biomolecules that are predominantly found in Cucurbitaceae plants. CucE has already been identified as a potent anti-inflammatory compound. Here, its effects on CD4(+) T helper (Th) cells and macrophages, as the major encephalitogenic cells in the autoimmunity of the central nervous system, were investigated. Production of major pathogenic Th cell cytokines: interferon-gamma and interleukin-17 were inhibited under the influence of CucE. The effects of CucE on CD4(+) T cells were mediated through the modulation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor, STAT3, NFκB, p38 MAPK, and miR-146 signaling. Further, production of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species, as well as phagocytic ability, were inhibited in macrophages treated with CucE. These results imply that CucE possesses powerful antiencephalitogenic activity.
Keywords:
cucurbitacin E; T cell; macrophage; autoimmunity; experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitisSource:
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2016, 64, 24, 4900-4907Funding / projects:
- Cellular and molecular mechanisms of recovery of rats from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (RS-MESTD-Basic Research (BR or ON)-173035)
- The Role of Transcription Factors and Small RNAs in Abiotic Stress Response in Plants and Genetic Diversity of Plant Species Important for Agriculture and Biotechnology (RS-MESTD-Basic Research (BR or ON)-173005)
- Molecular mechanisms of physiological and pharmacological control of inflammation and cancer (RS-MESTD-Basic Research (BR or ON)-173013)
- Complex diseases as a model system for phenotype modulation- structural and functional analysis of molecular biomarkers (RS-MESTD-Basic Research (BR or ON)-173008)
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b00951
ISSN: 0021-8561
PubMed: 27225664