Surfactin Blocks NO Production in Lipopolysaccharide-activated Macrophages by Inhibiting NF-κB Activation

Surfactin is a natural biosurfactant derived from Bacillus subtilis and has various biological activities such as anticancer, antiplatelet, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the inhibitory mechanism of surfactin in NO production from macrophages; was examined. Surfactin downregulated LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells and primary macrophages; with IC50 values of 31.6 and 22.4 mu M, respectively. Immunoblotting analysis showed that surfactin strongly blocked the phosphorylation of IKK and I kappa B alpha and the nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B (p65). Therefore, these data suggest that surfactin may act as a bacterium-derived anti-inflammatory agent with anti-NF-kappa B activity.