Abstract
Pulmonary inflammation is a characteristic of many lung diseases. Increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), have been correlated with lung inflammation. In this study, we demonstrated that various inflammatory agents, including lipopolysaccharide, 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, hydrogen peroxide, okadaic acid and ceramide, were able to induce IL-1beta and TNF-alpha productions in human lung epithelial cells (A-549), fibroblasts (HFL1), and lymphoma cells (U-937). Berberine, the protoberberine alkaloid widely distributed in the plant kingdom, was capable of suppressing inflammatory agents-induced cytokine production in lung cells. Inhibition of cytokine production by berberine was dose-dependent and cell type-independent. Moreover, the suppression of berberine on the cytokine production resulted from the inhibition of inhibitory kappaB-alpha phosphorylation and degradation. In conclusion, our findings suggested the potential role of berberine in the treatment of pulmonary inflammation.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Alkaloids / toxicity
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents / toxicity
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Benzophenanthridines / toxicity
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Berberine / pharmacology*
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Berberine / toxicity
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Cell Survival / drug effects
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Ceramides / pharmacology
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Epithelial Cells / drug effects
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Epithelial Cells / metabolism
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Fibroblasts / drug effects
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Fibroblasts / metabolism
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Humans
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Hydrogen Peroxide / pharmacology
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I-kappa B Proteins / metabolism*
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Inflammation / metabolism
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Inflammation / pathology
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Inflammation / prevention & control*
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Interleukin-1beta / metabolism*
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Isoquinolines / toxicity
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Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
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Lung / drug effects*
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Lung / metabolism
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Lung / pathology
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NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha
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Okadaic Acid / pharmacology
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Phosphorylation
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Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / pharmacology
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism*
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U937 Cells
Substances
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Alkaloids
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents
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Benzophenanthridines
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Ceramides
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I-kappa B Proteins
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Interleukin-1beta
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Isoquinolines
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Lipopolysaccharides
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NFKBIA protein, human
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
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Berberine
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NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha
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Okadaic Acid
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sanguinarine
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Hydrogen Peroxide
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chelerythrine
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Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate