Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that resveratrol can reduce blood sugar, improve insulin resistance, regulate abnormalities in lipid metabolism, and lower the secretion and expression of inflammatory factors. The present study investigated the anti‑inflammatory effects of resveratrol in animal models of acute pharyngitis, and its possible mechanisms. Commercial ELISA kits were used to measure tumor necrosis factor‑α, interleukin (IL)‑6, macrophage inflammatory protein‑2, cyclooxygenase‑2 levels and caspase‑3/9 activity. Toll‑like receptor (TLR)‑4, myeloid differentiation primary response protein MyD88, phosphorylated (p)‑nuclear factor (NF)‑κB and p‑IκB were analyzed using western blotting. In a rabbit model of acute pharyngitis, it was demonstrated that resveratrol inhibited tumor necrosis factor‑α and interleukin‑6 serum levels, macrophage inflammatory protein‑2 and cyclooxygenase‑2 activity levels, reactive oxygen species production and caspase‑3/9 activity. Resveratrol suppressed NACHT, LRR and PYD domains‑containing protein 3 and caspase‑1 protein expression, and reduced IL‑1β and IL‑18 protein expression in animal models of acute pharyngitis. Additionally, resveratrol suppressed TLR4 and myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 protein expression, and reduced p‑NF‑κB and increased p‑IκB protein expression in animal models of acute pharyngitis. In conclusion, these findings indicated that the anti‑inflammatory activity of resveratrol prevents acute pharyngitis‑induced inflammation by inhibiting NF‑κB in animal models. Therefore, these data suggested an important clinical application of resveratrol in preventing acute pharyngitis.