Bergapten prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells through suppressing JAK/STAT activation and ROS production and increases the survival rate of mice after LPS challenge.

Bergapten (BG) is a cumarine-derivate compound in many medicinal plants. Here, in vitro and in vivo experimental results indicated that BG possesses anti-inflammatory properties, Based on this, we further investigated the precise molecular mechanisms of BG in LPS-stimulated inflammation response. Studies revealed that BG inhibited LPS-stimulated productions of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, PGE2 and NO as well as the expression of iNOS and COX-2, and at the same time, it increased LPS-induced release of IL-10 in a dose-dependent manner in RAW264.7 cells. Mechanistically, BG suppressed the activations of JAK/STAT, but not that of MAPKs and NF-κB. In addition, BG, as an antioxidant, prevented the accumulation of ROS, which further exerted its anti-inflammatory function. In vivo researches revealed that BG decreased LPS-induced mortality in mice. In conclusions, BG may be a potential candidate for inflammation therapy via inhibiting JAK/STAT activation and ROS production in RAW264.7 cells.