Inhibitory effect of indigo naturalis on tumor necrosis factor-α-induced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Abstract

The use of indigo naturalis to treat psoriasis has proved effective in our previous clinical studies. The present study was designed to examine the anti-inflammatory effect of indigo naturalis in primary cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Pretreatment of cells with indigo naturalis extract attenuated TNF-α-induced increase in Jurkat T cell adhesion to HUVECs as well as decreased the protein and messenger (m)RNA expression levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) on HUVECs. Indigo naturalis extract also inhibited the protein expression of activator protein-1 (AP-1)/c-Jun, a critical transcription factor for the activation of VCAM-1 gene expression. Since the reduction of lymphocyte adhesion to vascular cells by indigo naturalis extract could subsequently reduce the inflammatory reactions caused by lymphocyte infiltration in the epidermal layer and help to improve psoriasis, this study provides a potential mechanism for the anti-inflammatory therapeutic effect of indigo naturalis extract in psoriasis.

• Authors: Hsin-Ning Chang, Jong-Hwei Su Pang, Sien-Hung Yang, Chi-Feng Hung, Chi-Hsin Chiang, Tung-Yi Lin, Yin-Ku Lin
• Journal: Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (Molecules) Vol. 15 Issue 9 Pg. 6423-35 (Sep 14 2010) ISSN: 1420-3049 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 20877233 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Plant Extracts
• RNA, Messenger
• Transcription Factor AP-1
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1

Topics

• Cell Adhesion (drug effects)
• Endothelial Cells (drug effects)
• Humans
• Inflammation (drug therapy)
• Jurkat Cells (drug effects, physiology)
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology)
• Plants, Medicinal (chemistry)
• Psoriasis (drug therapy)
• RNA, Messenger (analysis, drug effects)
• Transcription Factor AP-1 (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (physiology)
• Umbilical Veins (cytology)
• Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (analysis, drug effects, genetics)