Secoemestrin C reduces serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines in mice with Con A-induced hepatitis
A balance betweeen proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors is essential for maintaining liver homeostasis. Proinflammatory cytokines play a critical role in the initiation and propagation of the autoimmune response. To investigate the effect of secoemestrin C treatment on the generation of inflammatory cytokines in mice with Con A-induced liver injury, we examined the serum levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-17 using a cytometric bead array kit. In the Con A-challenged group, we found that the levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α, IL-17, and IL-6 were dramatically increased when compared to those in the normal control mice. However, pretreatment with secoemestrin C significantly suppressed the production of these cytokines induced by Con A (Fig. 4A-E). There were no significant differences in the serum level of IL-4 among the groups (Fig. 4F).