Anti-Inflammatory Effect of 3-Methylcarbazoles on RAW 264.7 Cells Stimulated with LPS, Polyinosinic-Polycytidylic Acid and Pam3CSK

Thongchai Taechowisan, Srisakul Chanaphat, Wanwikar Ruensamran, Waya S. Phutdhawong

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

DOI: 10.4236/aim.2012.22013                

Abstract

In the present study, 3-methylcarbazole and 1-methoxy-3-methylcarbazole were isolated from the culture of Streptomyces sp. LJK109, endophyte of Alpinia galanga Swartz. 3-methylcarbazole, a carbazole derivative, has been found to be highly potent as anti-inflammatory agent. The immunomodulatory activity of these agents in toll like receptor (TLR)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Poly(I:C), and pam3CSK was investigated by assessing nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The 3-methylcarbazoles dose-dependently suppressed the release of NO, PGE2, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 in LPS- and pam3CSK-activated macrophages but not in Poly(I:C)-activated macrophages. Our results suggest that 3-methylcarbazoles can be further developed as a promising anti-inflammatory remedy.

Keywords

3-Methylcarbazoles; Anti-Inflammatory Activity; RAW 264.7 Cells, Streptomyces sp.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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