Resveratrol and Piceatannol Inhibit iNOS Expression and NF-κ B Activation in Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Mouse Colitis

Abstract

Inflammatory tissue injury has been implicated in tumor promotion and progression. 3,5,4′-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene (resveratrol) and 3,4,3′, 5′-tetrahydroxy-trans-stilbene (piceatannol), 2 structurally related plant polyphenols, have been reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and chemopreventive properties. This study was aimed at investigating the possible protective effects of resveratrol and piceatannol against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced inflammation in mouse colonic mucosa. Administration of DSS (2.5%) in drinking water for 7 days to male ICR mice resulted in colitis and elevated expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), a major transcription factor known to upregulate proinflammatory gene expression. Phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) was also enhanced after DSS treatment. Oral administration of resveratrol or piceatannol (10 mg/kg body weight each) for 7 constitutive days attenuated the DSS-induced inflammatory injury, upregulation of iNOS expression, and activation of NF-κB, STAT3, and ERK.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by the grant (R11–2007-107–00000-0) for the Innovative Drug Research Center (IDRC) and the Biofoods Research Program, Korea Science and Engineering Foundation, Republic of Korea.