Abstract
Inflammation is a common pathogenesis in many diseases. Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been considered to have good anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of diethyl blechnic (DB), a novel compound isolated from Danshen, and its possible mechanisms in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. The results showed that DB can inhibit the LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. In addition, the results of the flow cytometry assay and the fluorometric intracellular ROS kit assay indicated that DB reduced the generation of ROS in LPS-stimualted RAW264.7 cells. DB reversed the LPS-induced loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Furthermore, DB suppressed the LPS-stimulated increased expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differential protein-88 (MyD88) and phosphorylation of TAK1, PI3K, and AKT. DB promoted NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) into the nucleus, increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 (NQO1) and reduced the expression of Keap1. In summary, DB may inhibit LPS-induced inflammation, which mainly occurs through TLR4/MyD88 and oxidative stress signaling pathways in RAW264.7 cells.