Inhibition of TNFalpha-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression by amentoflavone through suppression of NF-kappaB activation in A549 cells.

Amentoflavone, a biflavonoid with antiinflammatory activity, downregulates COX-2 expression in TNFalpha-activatedA549 cells with concomitant inhibition of NF-kappaB mediated signaling cascades. We demonstrate here that amentoflavone inhibits NF-kappaB/ DNA binding activity potently along with inhibition of degradation of IkappaBalpha and NF-kappaB translocation into nucleus in TNFalpha-activated A549 cells. This flavonoid upregulates PPAR gamma, a transcription factor involved in repressing many cytokine-induced gene expressions. Hence amentoflavone, a dietary constituent, may be of therapeutic value for several lung diseases where COX-2 plays an important role.