Caffeic acid regulates LPS-induced NF-κB activation through NIK/IKK and c-Src/ERK signaling pathways in endothelial cells

Arch Pharm Res. 2014 Apr;37(4):539-47. doi: 10.1007/s12272-013-0211-6. Epub 2013 Jul 27.

Abstract

The redox sensitive, proinflammatory nuclear transcription factor NF-κB plays a key role in inflammation. In a redox state disrupted by oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory genes are upregulated by the activation of NF-κB via diverse kinases. Thus, the search and characterization of new substances that modulate NF-κB are topics of considerable research interest. Caffeic acid is a component of garlic, some fruits, and coffee, and is widely used as a phenolic agent in beverages. In the present study, caffeic acid was examined with respect to the modulation of inflammatory NF-κB activation via the redox-related c-Src/ERK and NIK/IKK pathways via the reduction of oxidative stress. YPEN-1 cells (an endothelial cell line) were used to explore the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effect of caffeic acid by examining its modulation of NF-κB signaling pathway by LPS. Our results show that LPS-induced oxidative stress-related NF-κB activation upregulated pro-inflammatory COX-2, NF-κB targeting gene which were all inhibited effectively by caffeic acid. Our study shows that caffeic acid inhibits the activation of NF-κB via the c-Src/ERK and NIK/IKK signal transduction pathways. Our results indicate that antioxidative effect of caffeic acid and its restoration of redox balance are responsible for its anti-inflammatory action. Thus, the study provides new information regarding the anti-inflammatory properties of caffeic acid and the roles in the regulation of LPS-induced oxidative stress induces alterations in signal transduction pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Caffeic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • I-kappa B Kinase / metabolism*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • NF-kappaB-Inducing Kinase
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects
  • src-Family Kinases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Caffeic Acids
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B
  • src-Family Kinases
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • I-kappa B Kinase
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • caffeic acid