Planta Med 2008; 74(8): 828-833
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1074548
Pharmacology
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Hinokitiol, a Natural Tropolone Derivative, Inhibits TNF-α Production in LPS-Activated Macrophages via Suppression of NF-κB

Se Eun Byeon1 , Yong Gyu Lee1 , Jin-Chul Kim1 , Jae Gun Han1 , Hyeon Yong Lee1 , Jae Youl Cho1
  • 1School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, and the Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
Further Information

Publication History

Received: January 26, 2008 Revised: April 23, 2008

Accepted: April 27, 2008

Publication Date:
06 June 2008 (online)

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Abstract

In this study, we examined the modulatory effect of hinokitiol (HK) on the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, a critical factor involved in skin inflammation and hair follicle apoptosis. HK effectively suppressed TNF-α production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated, macrophage-like (RAW264.7) cells. This compound also diminished mRNA synthesis of TNF-α, indicating that HK-mediated inhibition may occur at the transcriptional level. Moreover, this compound down-regulated the phosphorylation of PDK1, Akt/PKB, and ERK, resulting in a loss of nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation, which is detectable by immunoblotting and reporter gene assays. Therefore, these results suggest that HK may cure hair loss by suppressing factors that promote follicular apoptosis, such as TNF-α, in addition to stimulating new hair growth.

References

Jae Youl Cho, Ph. D.

School of Bioscience and Biotechnology and the Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology

Kangwon National University

Chuncheon 200–701

Korea

Phone: +82-33-250-6562

Fax: +82-33-253-6560

Email: jaecho@kangwon.ac.kr

Hyeon Yong Lee, Ph. D.

School of Bioscience and Biotechnology and the Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology

Kangwon National University

Chuncheon 200–701

Korea

Phone: +82-33-250-6455

Fax: +82-33-253-6560

Email: hyeonl@kangwon.ac.kr