Inhibition of the expression and activity of cyclooxygenase-2 by chicory extract.
Chicory is a major source of fructans with reported prebiotic-bifidogenic properties. In the present study, the potential anti-inflammatory activities of chicory were investigated. Ethyl acetate chicory root extract produced a marked inhibition of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production in human colon carcinoma HT29 cells treated with the pro-inflammatory agent TNF-alpha. Two independent mechanisms of action were identified: (1) a drastic inhibition of the induction by TNF-alpha of cyclooxygenase 2 ( COX-2) protein expression and (2) a direct inhibition of COX enzyme activities with a significantly higher selectivity for COX-2 activity. The inhibition of TNF-alpha-dependent induction of COX-2 expression was mediated by an inhibition of NF-kappaB activation. A major sesquiterpene lactone of chicory root, the guaianolide 8-deoxylactucin, was identified as the key inhibitor of COX-2 protein expression present in chicory extract. Altogether, the data presented strongly support chicory root as a promising source of functional food ingredient, combining prebiotic and anti-inflammatory properties.[1]References
- Inhibition of the expression and activity of cyclooxygenase-2 by chicory extract. Cavin, C., Delannoy, M., Malnoe, A., Debefve, E., Touché, A., Courtois, D., Schilter, B. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. (2005) [Pubmed]
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