Nardosinanone N suppresses LPS-induced macrophage activation by modulating the Nrf2 pathway and mPGES-1.

The side effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the cardiovascular system mainly result from its inhibitory effect on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Since NSAIDs are one of the most commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs in the clinic, it is necessary to identify new anti-inflammatory drugs that are safer than NSAIDs. Nardosinanone N (NAN), a compound isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Nardostachys chinensis, was evaluated for its anti-inflammatory effects using the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cell line and rat peritoneal macrophage models. First, we found that NAN down regulated the levels of nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), but not cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Additionally, NAN reduced the M1 macrophage phenotype and increased the M2 macrophage phenotype. Furthermore, mechanistic studies showed that NAN activated the nuclear factor-erythroid 2 -related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway, which, in turn, increased the expression of antioxidant protein heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) to achieve its anti-inflammatory effect. Finally, Nrf2 siRNA and the HO-1 inhibitor significantly attenuated the anti-inflammatory effect of NAN. More interestingly, we found that NAN did not affect COX-2 expression and activity but reduced the PGE2 concentration by selective inhibition of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1). In conclusion, NAN may be a new anti-inflammatory drug that has fewer side effects than NSAIDs and can be a new potential Nrf2 activator and mPGES-1 inhibitor.