Bamboo extract reduces interleukin 6 (IL-6) overproduction under lipotoxic conditions through inhibiting the activation of NF-κB and AP-1 pathways.

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is an inflammatory cytokine overexpressed in obese individuals that contributes to the development of diseases such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. This study investigated the inhibitory effect of an extract from the bamboo Phyllostachys edulis (BEX) on lipotoxicity-induced over-production of IL-6 in metabolic cell lines. Palmitic acid (PA, 0.4mM) was used to induce lipotoxicity in murine C2C12, 3T3-L1, and Hepa6 cells. Both intra- and extra-cellular protein concentrations of IL-6 were measured in the three cell lines after PA treatment with or without the presence of BEX using cytometric bead assays. IL-6 mRNA levels were quantified using real-time PCR, and nuclear concentrations of c-fos, p50 and p65 proteins were measured using DNA-binding ELISA in 3T3-L1 cells. Lipotoxicity increased IL-6 protein concentration in both cytosol and media collected from myoblast and myotube C2C12, as well as preadipose and adipose 3T3-L1, and the presence of BEX (0.5%, v/v) effectively inhibited this overproduction. IL-6 protein expression in hepatic Hepa6 cells was less affected by lipotoxicity. BEX significantly ameliorated PA-induced upregulation of IL-6 mRNA, which correlated with a reduction in nuclear translocation of p50, p65, and c-fos proteins with the presence of BEX, indicating inhibition of NF-κB and AP-1 activation. In summary, BEX inhibits lipotoxicity-induced IL-6 overproduction in muscle and adipose cell lines through the NF-κB and AP-1 pathways, implicating a potential application of this natural product as a cost-effective anti-inflammation nutraceutical.