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Zerumbone, an anti‐inflammatory phytochemical, induces expression of proinflammatory cytokine genes in human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines
Author(s) -
Murakami Akira,
Miyamoto Masaaki,
Ohigashi Hajime
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
biofactors
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.204
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1872-8081
pISSN - 0951-6433
DOI - 10.1002/biof.552210118
Subject(s) - proinflammatory cytokine , phytochemical , cytokine , adenocarcinoma , colorectal adenocarcinoma , cancer research , cell culture , gene , inflammation , biology , chemistry , medicine , immunology , traditional medicine , biochemistry , genetics , cancer
Zerumbone, a sesquiterpene occurring in zingiberaceous plants in Southeast Asian countries, has been shown to have anti‐inflammatory effects in several independent experimental studies. We examined its effect on the expression of proinflammatory genes in human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines, Caco‐2, Colo320DM, and HT‐29, using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) assays. Surprisingly, zerumbone markedly induced the expression of interleukin (IL)‐1α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α in each cell line in concentration‐ and time‐dependent manners. Results of a previous pharmacological approach using specific inhibitors of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) suggested that the activation of both c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase and extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase, however, not that of p38 MAPK, may be involved in zerumbone‐induced IL‐1β expression pathways in Caco‐2 cells. The present results imply that zerumbone increases the production of proinflammatory cytokines in cancerous tissues in the colon and that this biochemical property may cause side‐effects.