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)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 beta and nitrite production in LPS-treated mice, and inhibited LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in mouse leukocytes. Sesamol also down-regulated TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, 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)-kappa B translocation and inhibitor (I) kappa B-alpha phosphorylation in RAW 264.7 cells. By inhibiting TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and nitrite levels, and interfering with the NFkB kappa B pathway, sesamol down-regulated the LPS-initiated inflammatory response.