Oligonol, a lychee fruit-derived low-molecular form of polyphenol mixture, suppresses inflammatory cytokine production from human monocytes

Hum Immunol. 2016 Jun;77(6):512-5. doi: 10.1016/j.humimm.2016.04.011. Epub 2016 Apr 11.

Abstract

Monocytes produce high levels of inflammatory cytokines including IL-6 and TNF-α that are involved in autoimmunity, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular disease and obesity. Therapies targeting IL-6 and TNF-α have been utilized in treating chronic inflammatory diseases. Oligonol is a lychee fruit-derived low-molecular form of polyphenol mixture, typically catechin-type monomers and oligomers of proanthocyanidins, which are produced by an oligomerization process. Although previous studies reported anti-inflammatory properties of Oligonol, it is unknown whether and how Oligonol suppresses IL-6 and TNF-α production in human monocytes. The results of our study demonstrate that Oligonol (25μg/ml) decreases the production of IL-6 and TNF-α from human primary monocytes as measured by flow cytometry and ELISA. Such an anti-cytokine effect was likely mediated by the suppression of NF-κB activation without inducing cell death. Our findings raise the possibility of exploring the benefits of Oligonol in controlling inflammatory conditions, especially those associated with monocytes, in humans.

Keywords: Cytokines; Human; Monocytes; Oligonol; Polyphenols.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Catechin / therapeutic use
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Litchi / immunology*
  • Monocytes / drug effects*
  • Monocytes / immunology
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Phenols / therapeutic use*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Polyphenols / chemistry
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Interleukin-6
  • NF-kappa B
  • Phenols
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polyphenols
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • oligonol
  • Catechin