Anti-inflammatory effects of oleanolic acid on LPS-induced inflammation in vitro and in vivo

Inflammation. 2013 Feb;36(1):94-102. doi: 10.1007/s10753-012-9523-9.

Abstract

Oleanolic acid (OA) is a triterpenoid known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties; however, the anti-inflammatory effects of OA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated pro-inflammatory responses have not been studied. Here, we first investigated the possible anti-inflammatory effects of OA against pro-inflammatory responses in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by LPS and the associated signaling pathways. We found that OA inhibited LPS-induced barrier disruption, expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), and adhesion/transendothelial migration of monocytes to HUVECs. OA also suppressed acetic acid-induced hyperpermeability and carboxymethylcellulose-induced leukocyte migration in vivo. Further studies revealed that OA suppressed the production of tumor necrosis factor-α and activation of nuclear factor-κB by LPS. Collectively, these results suggest that OA has anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting hyperpermeability, the expression of CAMs, and the adhesion and migration of leukocytes, thereby endorsing its usefulness as a therapeutic agent for vascular inflammatory diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetic Acid
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Survival
  • E-Selectin
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Female
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / chemically induced
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / metabolism*
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Oleanolic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Transendothelial and Transepithelial Migration / drug effects
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis
  • Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • E-Selectin
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Oleanolic Acid
  • Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium
  • Acetic Acid