Selenium-enriched oolong tea(Camellia sinensis)extract exerts anti-inflammatory potential via targeting NF-κB and MAPK pathways in macrophages

Both tea polyphenols and selenium(Se)have been suggested to exert the health benefits via the regulatory capacities of chronic inflammation,which make Se-enriched oolong tea a promising beverage as an anti-inflammatory diet.The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Se-enriched oolong tea extract(Se-TE)and underlying mechanism in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells.Se-TE treatments(50 and 150μg/m L)significantly suppressed the over-production of nitric oxide(NO)and prostaglandin E2(PGE2)in LPS-stimulated macrophages via downregulating the expression of nitric oxide synthase(i NOS)and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2).Moreover,Se-TEs also effectively inhibited the productions of inflammatory cytokines,such as tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),and interleukin-1β(IL-1β).Furthermore,Se-TE could block mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB)signaling pathways through the inhibition of the phosphorylation of key proteins(IκB-α,p65,p38,ERK,and JNK)and the translocation of the p65 subunit into the nucleus.Collectively,our results indicated that Se-TE may have the potential to be used as a novel food ingredient for the development of various anti-inflammatory foods and the treatment and prevention of chronic inflammation-related diseases.