Effect of apigenin, kaempferol and resveratrol on the expression of interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha genes in J774.2 macrophages.

Flavonoids have been reported to bring benefits in lowering inflammation, oxidative stress and exert positive effects in cancer and cardiovascular and chronic inflammatory diseases. Apigenin, kaempferol and resveratrol present in fruits, vegetables and grain were investigated for their effect on the synthesis of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) at transcriptional level in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated J774.2 macrophages. Apigenin (30 microM), kaempferol (30 microM) and resveratrol (50 microM) significantly decreased the number of TNF-alpha mRNA copies in LPS-activated J774.2 macrophages. Apigenin and kaempferol caused inhibition of IL-1beta gene expression in J774.2 macrophages, but resveratrol was ineffective. These results indicate that apigenin, kaempferol and resveratrol exert inhibitory effects on the TNF-alpha and except for of resveratrol on IL-1beta gene expression in J774.2 macrophages at the transcriptional level. In addition, the studied compounds may be the mediators responsible for protective role of a diet high in fruits and vegetables in the cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.