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).