Rotundarpene inhibits TNF-alpha-induced activation of the Akt, mTOR, and NF-kappa B pathways, and the JNK and p38 associated with production of reactive oxygen species

Abstract

Ilex Rotunda Thunb has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In human keratinocytes, we investigated the effect of rotundarpene (4-caffeoyl-3-methyl-but-2-ene-1,4-diol) on the TNF-alpha-stimulated production of inflammatory mediators in relation to the Akt, mTOR, and NF-kappa B pathways, and the JNK and p38-MAPK. Rotundarpene, Akt inhibitor, Bay 11-7085, rapamycin, and N-acetylcysteine inhibited the TNF-alpha-stimulated production of cytokines and chemokines, increase in the levels of p-Akt and mTOR, activation of NF-kappa B, and production of reactive oxygen species in keratinocytes. TNF-alpha treatment induced phosphorylation of the JNK and p38-MAPK. Inhibitors of the c-JNK (SP600125) and p38-MAPK (SB203580) reduced the TNF-alpha-induced production of inflammatory mediators, binding of NF-kappa B to DNA, and activation of the JNK and p38-MAPK in keratinocytes. The results show that rotundarpene may reduce the TNF-alpha-stimulated inflammatory mediator production by suppressing the reactive oxygen species-dependent activation of the Akt, mTOR, and NF-kappa B pathways, and activation of the JNK and p38-MAPK in human keratinocytes. Additionally, rotundarpene appears to attenuate the Akt, mTOR, and NF-kappa B pathways and the JNK and p38-MAPK-mediated inflammatory skin diseases.