Background:
Fucoxanthin (FX), a xanthophyll pigment which occurs in marine brown algae with remarkable biological properties, has been proven to be safe for consumption by animals. Although FX has various pharmacological effects including anti-inflammatory, anti-
tumor, anti-
obesity,
antioxidant, anti-diabetic,
anti-malarial, and anti-
lipid, in vivo protective effect against
sepsis has not been reported. In this study, we aimed at evaluation the efficacy of the FX in a model of
sepsis mouse. Methods: FX was successfully isolated from Conticribra weissflogii ND-8 for the first time. The FX was identified by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Animals were randomly divided into 9 groups, including
Sham group (mouse received an
intraperitoneal injection of
normal saline 1.0 ml/kg), FX-treated (0.1-1.0 ml/kg),
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated (20 mg/kg), FX+LPS-treated (0.1-10.0 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg, respectively), and
urinastatin groups (104 U/kg). Nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation could be potential treatment for
sepsis. NF-κB signaling components were determined by western-blotting.
IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α production, and NF-κB activation were evaluated by ELISA and immunofluorescent staining in vitro. Results: FX was found to decrease the expression of inflammatory
cytokines including
IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, in a prophylactic manner in the LPS-induced
sepsis mouse model. Meanwhile, FX significantly inhibits phosphorylation of the NF-κB signaling pathway induced by LPS at the cellular level and reduces the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. The IC50 for suppressing the expression of NF-κB was 11.08 ± 0.78 μM in the THP1-Lucia™ NF-κB cells. Furthermore, FX also inhibits the expression of inflammatory factors in a dose-dependent manner with the IC50 inhibition of
IL-6 production was 2.19 ± 0.70 μM in Raw267.4 macrophage cells. It is likely that the molecules with the ability of targeting NF-κB activation and
inflammasome assembly, such as
fucoxanthin, are interesting subjects to be used for treating
sepsis.