Conclusion
Taken together, Monascin exerts anti-inflammatory effect and suppressed microglia activation, which suggested its potential therapeutic effect for inflammation-related diseases.
Methods
We used lipopolysaccharide to induce BV-2 microglial cells in order to form an inflammation model in vitro. The anti-inflammatory effects of Monascin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western Blot and Immunofluorescent staining.
Results
Our data indicated that inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and nitric oxide were suppressed by Monascin treatment. Furthermore, the related pro-inflammatory genes were inhibited consistent with the results of ELISA assay. Western blotting results showed that the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB/p65) was reduced by Monascin treatment may be through suppressing the activation of IκB. Furthermore, immunofluorescence staining showed that the translocation of NF-κB/p65 to the cellular nuclear was blockaded after Monascin treatment.