Immuno-modulatory effects of macluraxanthone on macrophage phenotype and function

Abstract

Macluraxanthone was previously reported to have many biological activities, including anti-cholinesterase, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of the current study was to further characterise the effect of macluraxanthone on human macrophage, a type of immune cell that has been implicated in the development of various inflammatory diseases. The expression of surface markers and cytokine production by THP-1 human macrophages following treatment with macluraxanthone were investigated. Macluraxanthone was shown to promote polarisation of M1-like pro-inflammatory macrophages by increasing the percentage of macrophages expressing CD86, while decreasing their CD14, CD11b and CD80 expression. However, in the presence of the pro-inflammatory stimulus lipopolysaccharide, macluraxanthone significantly decreased TNF-α and IL-10 cytokine production.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Macluraxanthone
• Mesua ferrea
• macrophage
• polarisation
• cytokine

Acknowledgement

We thank Gwendoline Cheng Lian Ee and Soek Sin Teh for their provision of the macluraxanthone compound.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

We would like to acknowledge funding support by Taylor’s University, Malaysia under Taylor’s University Research Grant Scheme (TRGS/MFS/1/2014/SBS/007).