Licochalcone E reduces chronic allergic contact dermatitis and inhibits IL-12p40 production through down-regulation of NF-kappa B.

Abstract

Licochalcone, a constituent of licorice, has antitumor, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Recently, licochalcone E was isolated from the roots of Glycyrrhiza inflata and its biological functions are not fully examined. In this study, we investigated its ability to modulate production of IL-12p40, a common subunit of IL-12 and IL-23. Licochalcone E dose-dependently inhibited IL-12p40 production from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. The repressive effect was mapped to a region in the IL-12 gene promoter containing a binding site for NF-kappaB. Furthermore, licochalcone E decreased binding to the NF-kappaB site in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Using a chronic allergic contact dermatitis model induced by repeated application of oxazolone, we showed that licochalcone E inhibited the increased IL-12p40 expression and ear thickness induced by oxazolone. Taken together, licochalcone E inhibits IL-12p40 production and has therapeutic potential to reduce skin inflammation.

• Authors: Young-Chang Cho, Sung Ho Lee, Goo Yoon, Hyung-Seok Kim, Joo Young Na, Hyun Jin Choi, Cheng-Weon Cho, Seung Hoon Cheon, Bok Yun Kang
• Journal: International immunopharmacology (Int Immunopharmacol) Vol. 10 Issue 9 Pg. 1119-26 (Sep 2010) ISSN: 1878-1705 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 20601178 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Chalcones
• Interleukin-12 Subunit p40
• NF-kappa B
• licochalcone E
• Oxazolone

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (immunology)
• Cells, Cultured
• Chalcones (immunology, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Chronic Disease
• Dermatitis, Allergic Contact (drug therapy, immunology)
• Down-Regulation
• Female
• Interleukin-12 Subunit p40 (antagonists & inhibitors, immunology)
• Macrophages (drug effects, immunology)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• NF-kappa B (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Oxazolone (adverse effects, immunology)
• Promoter Regions, Genetic (drug effects, immunology)