Planta Med 2013; 79 - PC2
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1351996

Phyllostachys edulis leaf extract reduces TNFα-induced release of VEGF and IL-8 in immortalized HaCaT cells

T Daubitz 1, W Riedl 2, G Schlotterbeck 2, K Nieber 3, V Butterweck 4
  • 1Institute of Pharma Technology, School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, Gründenstrasse 40, 4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
  • 2Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, Gründenstrasse 40, 4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
  • 3Institute for Pharmacy, University of Leipzig, Talstrasse 33, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
  • 4Insitute of Pharma Technology, School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, Gründenstrasse 40, 4132 Muttenz, Switzerland

Phyllostachys edulis Carriere (Poaceae) has received considerable attention in pharmacological research due to their potent antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiulcerogenic activities. In this study, we investigated the antiinflammatory effects of two leaf extracts (young versus old harvested leaves) prepared from Phyllostachys edulis on TNFα-induced overproduction of IL-8, VEGF and IL-6 in immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT). These cytokines play important roles in various inflammatory skin diseases, such as psoriasis. Bamboo leaves of different maturity and age levels were used since we expected a different phytochemical profile and therefore a different pharmacological activity. Both leaf extracts were prepared by Soxhlet extraction using water as extraction solvent. The amounts of major flavonoids were quantified using a LC-MS/MS method. Isoorientin was detected as the main flavonoid in both extracts with amounts of 1590 mg/kg (old leaves) and 1440 mg/kg (young leaves). The Soxhlet extract prepared from the young bamboo leaves (SEYL) dose dependently (25 – 250 µg/ml) inhibited the release of TNFα-induced IL-8, and VEGF, but not IL-6, in HaCaT cells while the extract prepared from the old leaves (SEOL) had no effect. In addition, isoorientin (ISO; 10 – 100µM) dose dependently reduced the levels of VEGF, IL-8 and IL-6 in TNFα-treated HaCaT cells, comparable to the positive control hydrocortisone (HC; 10µM). Cell viability was determined by the MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl]-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) colorimetric assay. SEYL and SEOL up to a concentration of 250 µg/ml as well as ISO and HC (10 – 100µM, respectively) did not have any toxic effects on HaCaT cells. Taken together, an extract prepared from the young leaves of Phyllostachys edulis as well as isoorientin exerted anti-inflammatory effects in TNFα-treated HaCaT cells, suggesting interesting cosmetical and pharmacological applications.

Fig. 1