Open Access

Non‑cytotoxic doses of shikonin inhibit lipopolysaccharide‑induced TNF‑α expression via activation of the AMP‑activated protein kinase signaling pathway

  • Authors:
    • Fang Zhang
    • Tao Pan
    • Xiaohui Wu
    • Xingchun Gao
    • Zhikui Li
    • Xinling Ren
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: September 3, 2020     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2020.9173
  • Article Number: 45
  • Copyright: © Zhang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Shikonin has been reported to exhibit a wide variety of medical functions. However, the strong non‑selective cytotoxicity of shikonin can restrict its clinical application. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of shikonin at non‑cytotoxic doses on the pro‑inflammation functions of monocytes and macrophages. The present results suggested that the non‑cytotoxic doses of shikonin effectively inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑induced reactive oxygen species production, NF‑κB activation and TNF‑α expression in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages via AMP‑activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. In addition, the non‑cytotoxic doses of shikonin downregulated LPS‑induced TNF‑α expression via AMPK signaling activation in primary murine bone marrow‑derived macrophages, and also in monocytes cultured ex vivo from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The present in vivo results indicated that the low‑toxic dose of shikonin suppressed LPS‑induced endotoxin shock and TNF‑α expression in mice. Collectively, the present results may provide clinical and translational relevance for treating COPD and other TNF‑α‑related inflammatory disorders.
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November-2020
Volume 20 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Zhang F, Pan T, Wu X, Gao X, Li Z and Ren X: Non‑cytotoxic doses of shikonin inhibit lipopolysaccharide‑induced TNF‑α expression via activation of the AMP‑activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Exp Ther Med 20: 45, 2020
APA
Zhang, F., Pan, T., Wu, X., Gao, X., Li, Z., & Ren, X. (2020). Non‑cytotoxic doses of shikonin inhibit lipopolysaccharide‑induced TNF‑α expression via activation of the AMP‑activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 20, 45. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2020.9173
MLA
Zhang, F., Pan, T., Wu, X., Gao, X., Li, Z., Ren, X."Non‑cytotoxic doses of shikonin inhibit lipopolysaccharide‑induced TNF‑α expression via activation of the AMP‑activated protein kinase signaling pathway". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 20.5 (2020): 45.
Chicago
Zhang, F., Pan, T., Wu, X., Gao, X., Li, Z., Ren, X."Non‑cytotoxic doses of shikonin inhibit lipopolysaccharide‑induced TNF‑α expression via activation of the AMP‑activated protein kinase signaling pathway". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 20, no. 5 (2020): 45. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2020.9173