Sesamol down-regulates the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappa B activation.

We examined the effects of sesamol on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response. Sesamol inhibited serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and nitrite production in LPS-treated mice, and inhibited LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in mouse leukocytes. Sesamol also down-regulated TNF-α, IL-1β, and nitrite production as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Further, sesamol inhibited LPS-induced nuclear factor (NF)-κB translocation and inhibitor (I)κB-α phosphorylation in RAW 264.7 cells. By inhibiting TNF-α, IL-1β, and nitrite levels, and interfering with the NFκB pathway, sesamol down-regulated the LPS-initiated inflammatory response.