RESEARCH TITLE: Pomegranate inhibits neuroinflammation and amyloidogenesis in IL-1β-stimulated SK-N-SH cells
COUNTRIES: UK
CONDUCTED BY: Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
PUBLISHED ON: European Journal of Nutrition
RESEACH:
Purpose
Pomegranate fruit, Punica granatum L. (Punicaceae), and its constituents have been shown to inhibit inflammation. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of freeze-dried pomegranate on PGE2 production in IL-1β-stimulated SK-N-SH cells.
Methods
An enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was used to measure prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production from supernatants of IL-1β-stimulated SK-N-SH cells. Expression of COX-2, phospho-IκB, and phospho-IKK proteins was evaluated, while NF-κB reporter gene assay was carried out in TNFα-stimulated HEK293 cells to determine the effect of freeze-dried pomegranate on NF-κB transactivation. Levels of BACE-1 and Aβ in SK-N-SH cells stimulated with IL-1β were measured with an in cell ELISA.
Results
PWE (25–200 μg/ml) dose dependently reduced COX-2-dependent PGE2 production in SK-N-SH cells stimulated with IL-1β. Phosphorylation of IκB and IKK was significantly (p < 0.001) inhibited by freeze-dried pomegranate (50–200 μg/ml). Our studies also show that freeze-dried pomegranate (50–200 μg/ml) significantly (p < 0.01) inhibited NF-κB transactivation in TNFα-stimulated HEK293 cells. Furthermore, freeze-dried pomegranate inhibited BACE-1 and Aβ expression in SK-N-SH cells treated with IL-1β.
Conclusions
Taken together, our study demonstrates that pomegranate inhibits inflammation, as well as amyloidogenesis in IL-1β-stimulated SK-N-SH cells. We propose that pomegranate is a potential nutritional strategy in slowing the progression of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
YEAR: 2015