Suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 expression in colonic epithelial cells by ilekudinol B isolated from Weigela subsessilis

Ilekudinol B is one of the flavonoids isolated from Weigela subsessilis (Caprifoliaceae). In the present study, the suppression effect of ilekudinol B on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression was investigated in human colon epithelial cell line HT-29. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) production and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) secretion was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). COX-2 and nuclear factor (NF)-κB expression were determined by Western blot analysis. Ilekudinol B significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced secretion of IL-8 and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) from the human colon epithelial cell line HT-29 in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, ilekudinol B remarkably diminished TNF-α-induced COX-2 expression and NF-κB p65 subunit translocation to the nucleus. In conclusion, our results indicate that ilekudinol B may have anti-inflammatory activity on TNF-α-dependent colonic inflammation.